Leukotriene B4 inhibitors

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): 
                         
as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of diseases such as, for example, COPD.

PRIORITY TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/162,352 filed, Mar. 23, 2009, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/180,738,filed Jul. 28, 2008; U.S. application Ser. No. 12/326,349, filed Dec. 2,2008; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/034,307, filed Mar. 6,2008, all pending and all incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to compounds of formula (I):

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds inhibitthe interaction of leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) pro-inflammatory lipid mediatorbinding to BLT-1 and BLT-2 receptors resulting in amelioration ofdisease states resulting from excessive inflammatory response, such as,for example, severe asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).

All documents cited or relied upon below are expressly incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

LTB₄ is a potent pro-inflammatory lipid mediator derived fromarachidonic acid through the 5-lipoxygenase signaling pathway. LTB₄ isproduced by multiple cell types such as neutrophils, monocytes,macrophages, keratinocytes, lymphocytes and mast cells. It functions asa chemoattractant and as an activator of neutrophil cells. It has beenshown that LTB₄ effects its action through the agonism of G-proteincoupled receptors BLT-1 and BLT-2. (Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes andEssential Fatty Acids 69, 2003, 123-134.)

LTB₄ is considered to be an important mediator of acute and chronicinflammatory diseases. Increased levels of LTB₄ have been detected inthe lungs of patients with severe asthma and COPD. Thus, it isanticipated that an effective inhibitor of the action of LTB₄ and BLT-1and -2 would provide effective therapy for the treatment of inflammatoryconditions such as asthma and COPD.

A need exists in the art for LTB₄ inhibitors that have efficacy for thetreatment of diseases such as COPD.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to inhibitors of LTB₄. In a preferredembodiment, the invention provides for pharmaceutical compounds of theformula (I):

as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are useful asinhibitors of LTB₄.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment of the present invention, provided is a compound offormula (I):

wherein:

-   R1 is lower alkyl, alkoxy, alkoyl, dimethylaminomethyl, cyanomethyl,    benzyloxy, cyclopentylmethoxy, cyclopropanecarbonyl or    cyclopentanecarbonyl; and-   R2 is benzo[1,3]dioxol, benzo[1,4]dioxin, benzothiazole,    difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole, cycloalkyl, aryl, unsubstituted or    mono-, di- or tri-substituted with halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, lower    alkyl, —CF₃, —OCF₃ or methanesulfonyl, heteroaryl, unsubstituted or    mono-, di- or tri-substituted with lower alkyl, halogen or hydroxy,    N-aryl or indole, unsubstituted or substituted with lower alkyl,    or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another embodiment of the present invention, provided is apharmaceutical composition, comprising a therapeutically effectiveamount of a compound according to claim 1 or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In a further preferred embodiment, R1 is lower alkyl, alkoxy or alkoyland R2 is benzo[1,3]dioxol, benzo[1,4]dioxin, benzothiazole,difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole, cycloalkyl, aryl, unsubstituted or mono-,di- or tri-substituted with halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, lower alkyl, —CF₃,—OCF₃ or methanesulfonyl, heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono-, di- ortri-substituted with lower alkyl, halogen or hydroxy, N-aryl or indole,unsubstituted or substituted with lower alkyl.

In a still another preferred embodiment, R1 is dimethylaminomethyl,cyanomethyl, benzyloxy, cyclopentylmethoxy, cyclopropanecarbonyl orcyclopentanecarbonyl and R2 is benzo[1,3]dioxol, benzo[1,4]dioxin,benzothiazole, difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole, cycloalkyl, aryl,unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted with halogen, hydroxy,alkoxy, lower alkyl, —CF₃, —OCF₃ or methanesulfonyl, heteroaryl,unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted with lower alkyl, halogenor hydroxy, N-aryl or indole, unsubstituted or substituted with loweralkyl.

It is to be understood that the terminology employed herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to belimiting. Further, although any methods, devices and materials similaror equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice ortesting of the invention, the preferred methods, devices and materialsare now described.

As used herein, the term “alkyl”, alone or in combination with othergroups, refers to a branched or straight-chain monovalent saturatedaliphatic hydrocarbon radical of one to twenty carbon atoms, preferablyone to sixteen carbon atoms, more preferably one to ten carbon atoms.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to a monovalent carbocyclic radical ofthree to seven, preferably three to six carbon atoms. This term isfurther exemplified by radicals such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. In a preferred embodiment, the “cycloalkyl”moieties can optionally be substituted with one, two, three or foursubstituents, wherein each substituent is independently, for example,hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen or amino, unless otherwise specificallyindicated. Examples of cycloalkyl moieties include, but are not limitedto, optionally substituted cyclopropyl, optionally substitutedcyclobutyl, optionally substituted cyclopentyl, optionally substitutedcyclopentenyl, optionally substituted cyclohexyl, optionally substitutedcyclohexylene, optionally substituted cycloheptyl, and the like or thosewhich are specifically exemplified herein.

The term “heterocycloalkyl” denotes a cyclic alkyl ring, wherein one,two or three of the carbon ring atoms is replaced by a heteroatom suchas N, O or S. Examples of heterocycloalkyl groups include, but are notlimited to, morpholine, thiomorpholine, piperazine, piperidine and thelike. The heterocycloalkyl groups may be unsubstituted or substituted.

The term “lower alkyl”, alone or in combination with other groups,refers to a branched or straight-chain monovalent alkyl radical of oneto six carbon atoms, preferably one to four carbon atoms. This term isfurther exemplified by radicals such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,isopropyl, n-butyl, s-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, 3-methylbutyl,n-hexyl, 2-ethylbutyl and the like.

The term “aryl” refers to an aromatic monovalent mono- orpolycarbocyclic radical, such as phenyl or naphthyl, preferably phenyl.

The term “heteroaryl,” alone or in combination with other groups, meansa monocyclic or bicyclic radical of 5 to 12 ring atoms having at leastone aromatic ring containing one, two, or three ring heteroatomsselected from N, O, and S, the remaining ring atoms being C. Preferredheterocycle groups include, but are not limited to, thiophene,pyrimidine and pyridine. One or two ring carbon atoms of the heteroarylgroup may be replaced with a carbonyl group. The heteroaryl groupdescribed above may be substituted independently with one, two, or threesubstituents, preferably one or two substituents such as, for example,halogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl, halo C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl sulfinyl, C₁₋₆ alkylthio, amino, amino C₁₋₆ alkyl,mono- or di-substituted amino-C₁₋₆ alkyl, nitro, cyano, acyl, carbamoyl,mono- or di-substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-substitutedamino-carbonyl, aminocarbonyl C₁₋₆ alkoxy, mono- or di-substitutedamino-carbonyl-C₁₋₆ alkoxy, hydroxy-C₁₋₆ alkyl, carboxyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl, aryl C₁₋₆ alkoxy, heteroaryl C₁₋₆ alkoxy, heterocyclyl C₁₋₆alkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl C₁₋₆ alkoxy, carbamoyl C₁₋₆ alkoxy andcarboxyl C₁₋₆ alkoxy, preferably halogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl, halo C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₆ alkyl sulfonyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl sulfinyl, C₁₋₆alkylthio, amino, mono-C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted amino, di-C₁₋₆ alkylsubstituted amino, amino C₁₋₆ alkyl, mono-C₁₋₆ alkyl substitutedamino-C₁₋₆ alkyl, di-C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted amino-C₁₋₆ alkyl, nitro,carbamoyl, mono- or di-substituted amino-carbonyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆ alkyl,carboxyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy carbonyl and cyano.

The alkyl and aryl groups may be substituted or unsubstituted. Wheresubstituted, there will generally be, for example, 1 to 3 substituentspresent, preferably 1 substituent. Substituents may include, forexample: carbon-containing groups such as alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl (e.g.substituted and unsubstituted phenyl, substituted and unsubstitutedbenzyl); halogen atoms and halogen-containing groups such as haloalkyl(e.g. trifluoromethyl); oxygen-containing groups such as alcohols (e.g.hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, aryl(hydroxyl)alkyl), ethers (e.g. alkoxy,aryloxy, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl), aldehydes (e.g. carboxaldehyde),ketones (e.g. alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl, arylcarbonyl,arylalkylcarbonyl, arycarbonylalkyl), acids (e.g. carboxy,carboxyalkyl), acid derivatives such as esters (e.g. alkoxycarbonyl,alkoxycarbonylalkyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonyloxyalkyl), amides(e.g. aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-alkylaminocarbonyl, aminocarbonylalkyl,mono- or di-alkylaminocarbonylalkyl, arylaminocarbonyl), carbamates(e.g. alkoxycarbonylamino, arloxycarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, mono-or di-alkylaminocarbonyloxy, arylminocarbonloxy) and ureas (e.g. mono-or di-alkylaminocarbonylamino or arylaminocarbonylamino);nitrogen-containing groups such as amines (e.g. amino, mono- ordi-alkylamino, aminoalkyl, mono- or di-alkylaminoalkyl), azides,nitriles (e.g. cyano, cyanoalkyl), nitro; sulfur-containing groups suchas thiols, thioethers, sulfoxides and sulfones (e.g. alkylthio,alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylthioalkyl, alkylsulfinylalkyl,alkylsulfonylalkyl, arylthio, arysulfinyl, arysulfonyl, arythioalkyl,arylsulfinylalkyl, arylsulfonylalkyl); and heterocyclic groupscontaining one or more, preferably one, heteroatom, (e.g. thienyl,furanyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl,oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, aziridinyl, azetidinyl,pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl,tetrahydrofuranyl, pyranyl, pyronyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl,piperidyl, hexahydroazepinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thianaphthyl,benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, indolyl, oxyindolyl, isoindolyl,indazolyl, indolinyl, 7-azaindolyl, benzopyranyl, coumarinyl,isocoumarinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, naphthridinyl, cinnolinyl,quinazolinyl, pyridopyridyl, benzoxazinyl, quinoxalinyl, chromenyl,chromanyl, isochromanyl, phthalazinyl and carbolinyl).

The lower alkyl groups may be substituted or unsubstituted. Wheresubstituted, there will generally be, for example, 1 to 3 substitutentspresent, preferably 1 substituent. The substituents include those thatare noted for the alkyl group, supra, such as, for example, hydroxyl.

As used herein, the term “alkoxy” means alkyl-O—; and “alkoyl” meansalkyl-CO—. Alkoxy or alkoyl groups may be substituted by, for example,one or more alkyl groups.

As used herein, the term “halogen” means a fluorine, chlorine, bromineor iodine radical, preferably a fluorine, chlorine or bromine radical,and more preferably a fluorine or chlorine radical.

Compounds of formula I can have one or more asymmetric carbon atoms andcan exist in the form of optically pure enantiomers, mixtures ofenantiomers such as, for example, racemates, optically purediastereoisomers, mixtures of diastereoisomers, diastereoisomericracemates or mixtures of diastereoisomeric racemates. The opticallyactive forms can be obtained for example by resolution of the racemates,by asymmetric synthesis or asymmetric chromatography (chromatographywith a chiral adsorbents or eluant). The invention embraces all of theseforms.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means anypharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound of formula (I). Saltsmay be prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acids andbases including inorganic and organic acids and bases. Such acidsinclude, for example, acetic, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, camphorsulfonic,citric, ethenesulfonic, dichloroacetic, formic, fumaric, gluconic,glutamic, hippuric, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, isethionic, lactic,maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, mucic, nitric, oxalic, pamoic,pantothenic, phosphoric, succinic, sulfuric, tartaric, oxalic,p-toluenesulfonic and the like. Particularly preferred are fumaric,hydrochloric, hydrobromic, phosphoric, succinic, sulfuric andmethanesulfonic acids. Acceptable base salts include alkali metal (e.g.sodium, potassium), alkaline earth metal (e.g. calcium, magnesium) andaluminium salts.

In the practice of the method of the present invention, an effectiveamount of any one of the compounds of this invention or a combination ofany of the compounds of this invention or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, is administered via any of the usual and acceptablemethods known in the art, either singly or in combination. The compoundsor compositions can thus be administered orally (e.g., buccal cavity),sublingually, parenterally (e.g., intramuscularly, intravenously, orsubcutaneously), rectally (e.g., by suppositories or washings),transdermally (e.g., skin electroporation) or by inhalation (e.g., byaerosol), and in the form or solid, liquid or gaseous dosages, includingtablets and suspensions. The administration can be conducted in a singleunit dosage form with continuous therapy or in a single dose therapy adlibitum. The therapeutic composition can also be in the form of an oilemulsion or dispersion in conjunction with a lipophilic salt such aspamoic acid, or in the form of a biodegradable sustained-releasecomposition for subcutaneous or intramuscular administration.

Useful pharmaceutical carriers for the preparation of the compositionshereof, can be solids, liquids or gases; thus, the compositions can takethe form of tablets, pills, capsules, suppositories, powders,enterically coated or other protected formulations (e.g. binding onion-exchange resins or packaging in lipid-protein vesicles), sustainedrelease formulations, solutions, suspensions, elixirs, aerosols, and thelike. The carrier can be selected from the various oils including thoseof petroleum, animal, vegetable or synthetic origin, e.g., peanut oil,soybean oil, mineral oil, sesame oil, and the like. Water, saline,aqueous dextrose, and glycols are preferred liquid carriers,particularly (when isotonic with the blood) for injectable solutions.For example, formulations for intravenous administration comprisesterile aqueous solutions of the active ingredient(s) which are preparedby dissolving solid active ingredient(s) in water to produce an aqueoussolution, and rendering the solution sterile. Suitable pharmaceuticalexcipients include starch, cellulose, talc, glucose, lactose, talc,gelatin, malt, rice, flour, chalk, silica, magnesium stearate, sodiumstearate, glycerol monostearate, sodium chloride, dried skim milk,glycerol, propylene glycol, water, ethanol, and the like. Thecompositions may be subjected to conventional pharmaceutical additivessuch as preservatives, stabilizing agents, wetting or emulsifyingagents, salts for adjusting osmotic pressure, buffers and the like.Suitable pharmaceutical carriers and their formulation are described inRemington's Pharmaceutical Sciences by E. W. Martin. Such compositionswill, in any event, contain an effective amount of the active compoundtogether with a suitable carrier so as to prepare the proper dosage formfor proper administration to the recipient.

The dose of a compound of the present invention depends on a number offactors, such as, for example, the manner of administration, the age andthe body weight of the subject, and the condition of the subject to betreated, and ultimately will be decided by the attending physician orveterinarian. Such an amount of the active compound as determined by theattending physician or veterinarian is referred to herein, and in theclaims, as a “therapeutically effective amount”. For example, the doseof a compound of the present invention is typically in the range ofabout 1 to about 1000 mg per day. Preferably, the therapeuticallyeffective amount is in an amount of from about 1 mg to about 500 mg perday

It will be appreciated, that the compounds of general formula I in thisinvention may be derivatized at functional groups to provide derivativeswhich are capable of conversion back to the parent compound in vivo.Physiologically acceptable and metabolically labile derivatives, whichare capable of producing the parent compounds of general formula I invivo are also within the scope of this invention.

The compounds of the present invention can be prepared by anyconventional means. Suitable processes for synthesizing these compoundsare provided in the Examples. Generally, compounds of formula I can beprepared according to the Schemes described below. The sources of thestarting materials for these reactions are also described.

The compounds contained within this invention can be synthesizedaccording to the following general synthetic strategies as shown belowin Scheme 1. The synthesis of 1 may be effected by condensation of 3,4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-(6-E-hexyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acid, protected asa di-ester for R0=lower alkyl, preferably as a di-ethyl ester(R0=ethyl), and E is a leaving group, such as a halogen or mesylate withthe fragment 2 wherein D is a nucleophile such as a hydroxyl group understandard conditions employed for the alkylation of phenols with primaryhalides or mesylates. Functional groups represented by symbol R1 beinghalogen, nitro, and amino group and can be transformed to an aryl, arylether, or amine moiety before or after coupling to 3 according tochemistry described in this invention. Functional groups represented bysymbol R2 being hydroxy methyl, alkylated hydroxy methyl, cyano methyl,dimethyl amino methyl, ethers or ketones.

A synthesis of 3 for E=Br and R₀=Et has been described in Bioorganic &Medicinal Chemistry Letters (1994), 4(24), 2883-8. A synthesis of 3 forE=Br and R₀=Et is also shown below in Schemes 2 and 3.

In Scheme 2,2,3-dimethylphenol 4 is reacted with 4-bromo butyric acidester 5 in presence of a base, preferably lithium hydride in aproticsolvent, preferably dimethylsulfoxide to obtain the dimethylintermediate, 6. Then, the more reactive methyl group at 2-position of 6is selectively oxidized to the corresponding aldehyde 7 using aoxidizing conditions, such as copper(II)sulfate pentahydrate andpotassium persulfate in a mixed solvent systems, preferably water andacetonitrile. The two carbon chain ester moiety can be selectivelyintroduced by a modified Horner-Emmons condensation conditions fromaldehyde 7 and triethylphosphonoacetate 8 in the presence of a base suchas sodium ethoxide in a protic solvents, preferably ethanol. Then, thebenzylic bromination of 9 is effected with N-bromosuccinimide in thepresence of 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) in an aprotic solventssuch as carbon tetrachloride or chlorobenzene or benzene. The hydroxyprotected 5-carbon chain aldehyde 12 can be obtained by oxidation of amono protected pentane-1,5-diol with any suitable oxidation conditionssuch as Swern oxidation or TEMPO oxidation, reactions well known tothose skilled in the art. The protecting group on 11 and 12 can be anysuitable protecting group for primary alcohols, for examplet-butyldimethylsilyl group. Use and removal of protecting groups is wellpresented in the literature. For a leading reference, see P. G. M. Wutsand T. W. Greene in Green's Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis,Wiley and Sons, 2007.

As shown in Scheme 3, a one-pot Wittig condensation reaction isconducted first by making in situ Wittig salt from the benzylic bromide10 and triphenylphosphine in acetonitrile and then the reaction of theresulting Wittig salt with the protected aldehyde 12 in 1,2-epoxybutaneto obtain the olefinic intermediate 13 in a cis to trans ratio of ˜1:3.The mixture of cis and trans compounds can be converted to thecorresponding alkyl bromide intermediate 16 by removal of the protectinggroup, using for example tetrabutyl ammonium fluoride for the casewherein the protecting group is a t-butyldimethylsilyl group,hydrogenation of the double bonds, and conversion of the hydroxyl groupto the bromide. These transformation are routine and well known to thoseskilled in the art.

Target molecule (I) where R2 is CH₂OH can be synthesized using theMethod A described in Scheme 4 starting from commercially available3-bromo-5-iodo-benzoic acid. The first step consists in the selectivedisplacement of the iodo group by the hydroxide ion using aqueous sodiumhydroxide in the presence of catalytic amount of cuprous oxide at atemperature about 100° C. (as described in Organic Process Research &Development 2002, 6, 591-596). Reduction of the carboxylic group tobenzylic alcohol 19 could be accomplished using a common reducing agentsuch as lithium aluminium hydride. The coupling reaction between 19 and16 is regioselective and only the most nucleophilic alcoholfunctionality reacts to form the desired intermediate 20. The couplingis achieved in a mixture of acetone and N,N-dimethylformamide at atemperature about 75° C. in the presence of a base such as potassiumcarbonate or cesium carbonate. The ester hydrolysis can be convenientlyeffected by treating the compound 20 with several equivalents of analkali metal hydroxide, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide orlithium hydroxide, in a suitable solvent such as a mixture of alcoholand water or tetrahydrofuran and water. The reaction can be carried outat a temperature ranging from 0° C. to 70° C. The Suzuki couplingreaction is carried out between aryl bromide 21 and various boronicacids to produce the derivatives of target molecule (I) where R2=CH₂OH.The conditions of this method are disclosed in many publications whichhave been reviewed by A. Suzuki in an article entitled “The Suzukireaction with arylboron compounds in arene chemistry” in Modern AreneChemistry 2002, 53-106 and in a recent review: Tetrahedron 2002, 58,9633-9695. Generally Suzuki coupling reactions are carried out in thepresence of a transition metal catalyst such as a palladium catalystutilizing and a weak inorganic base. Among the preferred organicsolvents are dimethoxyethane, ethanol and toluene. The weak inorganicbase can be a carbonate or bicarbonate, such as potassium carbonate orcesium carbonate or phosphate such as potassium phosphate. The reactioncan also be done in anhydrous conditions or an aqueous solution of thebase can be used. The source of palladium can be palladium(0) complex(e.g. tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0)) or a compound which canbe reduced in situ to give palladium(0) (for example palladiumacetate(II) or bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) chloride or[1,1′bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II).

Target molecule (I) where R2 equals CH₂OMe and CH₂OEt can be prepared asdescribed in Scheme 5 starting from intermediate 20. Using a strong basesuch as sodium hydride, alkylation of the benzylic alcohol could beaccomplished in DMF using alkyl halides such as methyl iodide and ethyliodide. This reaction also known as the Williamson reaction is a verygeneral method allowing the preparation of various unsymmetrical ethers.All the remaining steps leading to preparation of compounds of formula(I) have been described in Methods A.

As shown in Scheme 6,3-N,N-dimethylaminomethyl-5-aryl analogues and3-cyanomethyl-5-aryl analogues having a structure such as (I) can beprepared using Method C. The desired methanesulfonate 25 can be obtainedfrom 3-hydroxymethyl analogue 20 by treatment with methanesulfonylchloride, triethyl amine in dichloromethane and using a catalytic amountof N,N-dimethylaminopyridine. Then, the3-N,N-dimethylaminomethyl-5-bromo analogue 26 was accomplished via anucleophilic substitution reaction by treatment of 25 withN,N-dimethylamine in acetonitrile at room temperature. Alternatively,treatment of 25 with KCN in DMF at 60° C. afforded the desired3-cyanomethyl-5-bromo analogue 27. The remaining two steps, Suzukicoupling with arylboronic acids and hydrolysis of the ethyl ester, werefollowed as described in Scheme 4 to obtain the final compounds such as(I).

As shown in Scheme 7,3-alkoxy-5-aryl analogues having a structure suchas (I) can be prepared using Method D. The desired diol 29 can beobtained from commercially available 3,5-dimethoxy bromobenzene 28 bytreatment with any dealkylating agent, such as trimethylchlorosilane andsodium iodide or tribromoborane in a solvent like acetonitrile ordichloromethane at reflux or room temperature. Then, the monoalkylationof one hydroxy of the diol 29 was accomplished by using lithium hydrideand one equivalent of 16 in DMSO to give the desired compound 30. Thesecond alkylation was accomplished by treatment of 30 with a lower alkyliodide in the presence of a base such as potassium carbonate or cesiumcarbonate in a mixture of acetone and N,N-dimethylformamide at atemperature of about 75° C. The remaining two steps, Suzuki couplingwith arylboronic acids and hydrolysis of the ethyl ester, were followedas described in the previous schemes to obtain the final compounds suchas (I).

The target 3-acyl-5-aryl analogues (I) can be synthesized according tothe Scheme 8, Method E. The desired 3-acyl-5-bromophenol 33 can beprepared from commercially available 3-bromo-5-iodobenzoic acid 17 inthree steps. First, the 3-bromo-5-iodobenzoic acid 17 was converted tothe corresponding acid chloride by treatment with oxalyl chloride indichloromethane in the presence of a catalytic amount ofN,N-dimethylformamide at 0° C. to room temperature. Then, the resultingacid chloride of 17 was treated with an in situ generated methylcopperreagent from methylmagnesium chloride and a soluble copper cyanide andlithium chloride mixture in tetrahydrofuran at −70 to −30° C. for 15 hto obtain 32 (Paul Knochel and Robert D. Singer, Chem. Rev. 1993, 93,2117-2188. Finally, the iodide of 32 was converted to the correspondingphenol by treatment of 32 with sodium hydroxide in the presence of acatalytic amount of copper(I) oxide in water and pyridine at 110° C. toafford the desired 33. The remaining three steps, alkylation of phenolwith 16, Suzuki coupling with arylboronic acids and hydrolysis of ethylester, were followed as described in the previous schemes to obtain thefinal 3-acyl-5-aryl analogues (I).

Compounds of Formula 40 can be conveniently prepared starting from3,5-dibromobenzonitrile 35. The hydroxyl group can be introduced via anucleophilic displacement of a bromine by an alkoxide, preferablypara-methoxybenzyloxide, followed by ether cleavage to give a phenol.For example, para-methoxybenzyl group can be removed by refluxing inglacial acetic acid. Aryl group can be incorporated in a Suzuki couplingreaction between an appropriately substituted haloarene, preferablybromo- or iodoarene, and a boronic acid or a boronic acid equivalent(ester or anhydride) using a palladium catalyst. Nitrile group can beeasily converted to ketone using a Grignard reagent and catalytic amountof cuprous bromide as described by Weiberth in J. Org. Chem. 1987, 52,3901-3904.

Compounds of Formula 47 can be prepared starting from3,5-dimethoxybenzonitrile 42. Nitrile group can be easily converted toketone using a Grignard reagent and catalytic amount of cuprous bromideas described by Weiberth in J. Org. Chem. 1987, 52, 3901-3904. Themethoxy ether can be cleaved by methods known to those skilled in theart, preferably using boron tribromide yielding intermediate 44.Dihydroxy derivative 44 can be converted to monotriflate 46 in atwo-step procedure: (i) conversion to the corresponding ditriflate 45(Tf₂O, DIEA, CH₂Cl₂) and (ii) cleavage of one of the two sulfonyl groupsby treatment with cesium carbonate in 1,2-dimethoxyethane as describedby Hamura in Helvetica Chimica Acta 2002, 85, 3589-3605. Aryl group canbe incorporated in a Suzuki coupling reaction between an appropriatelysubstituted aromatic triflate and a boronic acid or a boronic acidequivalent using a palladium catalyst.

Substituted phenyl boronic acids (49, R═H) and boronic esters such as4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolane (49, R═—(C(CH₃)₂)₂—) useful inthe preparation of compounds of this invention may be commerciallyavailable or they can be made by reactions that are well known in thefield of organic synthesis. Aryl boronic acids and aryl boronic estersare formed by treatment of aryl halides 48 with an organometallicreagent such as n-butyl lithium followed by treatment with borontriisopropoxide or4,4,4′,4′,5,5,5′,5′-octamethyl-2,2′-bi-1,3,2-dioxaborolane followed byacidic work-up as is well known to those skilled in the art (For examplein the literature, see Org. Process Res. Dev. 2004, 8, 201).

Commercially available boronic acids used in this procedure are listedbelow. The Available Chemicals Database (ACD) indicates the availabilityof greater than seven hundred commercially available aryl boronic acids.Some boronic acids useful for the preparation of compounds of theinvention are listed below.

TABLE 1 Commercially available boronic acids Boronic acid3-CHLORO-PHENYLBORONIC ACID PHENYLBORONIC ACID 2-CHLOROPHENYLBORONICACID 3-CHLORO-4-FLUOROPHENYLBORONIC ACID 3-METHYLPHENYLBORONIC ACID1,4-BENZODIOXANEBORONIC ACID 3,4-DIFLUOROPHENYLBORONIC ACID4-CHLOROPHENYLBORONIC ACID 4-CHLORO-3-FLUOROPHENYLBORONIC ACIDTHIOPHENE-2-BORONIC ACID 2-FLUOROPHENYLBORONIC ACID4-FLUORO-3-METHYLPHENYLBORONIC ACID 3-FLUOROPHENYLBORONIC ACIDTHIOPHENE-3-BORONIC ACID 4-METHYL-3-THIOPHENEBORONIC ACID4-METHOXYPHENYLBORONIC ACID 4-ETHOXYPHENYLBORONIC ACID3-FLUORO-4-METHYLPHENYLBORONIC ACID 4-ETHYLPHENYLBORONIC ACID2,3-DIHYDROBENZOFURAN-5-BORONIC ACID 3-METHOXYPHENYLBORONIC ACID2-TRIFLUOROMETHOXYPHENYLBORONIC ACID 4-TRIFLUOROMETHOXYPHENYLBORONICACID 4-FLUOROPHENYLBORONIC ACID 3-FLUORO-4-METHOXYPHENYLBORONIC ACID3,5-DIFLUOROPHENYLBORONIC ACID 1-CYCLOHEXEN-1-YL-BORONIC ACID5-BENZO[1,3]DIOXOLEBORONIC ACID 1H-PYRAZOLE-4-BORONIC ACID1H-INDOLE-5-BORONIC ACID 4-PYRIDYL-BORONIC ACID 3-PYRIDYL-BORONIC ACID4-METHANESULFONYLPHENYLBORONIC ACID 1-H-PYRAZOL-3-YLBORONIC ACID4-FLUORO-3-HYDROXYPHENYLBORONIC ACID

TABLE 2 These boronic acids are also available from other suppliers thatmay not necessarily be listed in the ACD. 3-Fluoro-6-(4,4,5,5- ATLANTICSCIENTIFIC 791819-04-0 tetramethyl- CO., INC., [1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-JERSEY CITY, NJ, yl)pyridine Quinoline-2-boronic acid LANCASTER745784-12-7 3-Chloro-6-(4,4,5,5- ATLANTIC SCIENTIFIC 652148-93-1tetramethyl- CO., INC., [1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2- JERSEY CITY, NJ,yl)pyridine 6-Chloropyridine-2-boronic INTERCHIM, 652148-92-0 acidpinacol ester MONTLUCON, FRANCE Boronic acid, (2-methyl-4- CHEMSTEP,TALENCE, 647853-31-4 pyrimidinyl)- FRANCE Boronic acid, (3-methoxy-2-CHEMSTEP, TALENCE, 500707-34-6 pyridinyl)- FRANCE Boronic acid,(6-methoxy-2- CHEMSTEP, TALENCE, 372963-51-4 pyridinyl)- FRANCE Boronicacid, (6-methyl-2- CHEMSTEP, TALENCE, 372963-50-3 pyridinyl)- FRANCEBoronic acid, (5-methyl-2- CHEMSTEP, TALENCE, 372963-49-0 pyridinyl)-FRANCE Boronic acid, (4-methyl-2- CHEMSTEP, TALENCE, 372963-48-9pyridinyl)- FRANCE Boronic acid, 2-pyridinyl- CHEMSTEP, TALENCE,197958-29-5 FRANCE

In the practice of the method of the present invention, an effectiveamount of any one of the compounds of this invention or a combination ofany of the compounds of this invention or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, is administered via any of the usual and acceptablemethods known in the art, either singly or in combination. The compoundsor compositions can thus be administered orally (e.g., buccal cavity),sublingually, parenterally (e.g., intramuscularly, intravenously, orsubcutaneously), rectally (e.g., by suppositories or washings),transdermally (e.g., skin electroporation) or by inhalation (e.g., byaerosol), and in the form or solid, liquid or gaseous dosages, includingtablets and suspensions. The administration can be conducted in a singleunit dosage form with continuous therapy or in a single dose therapy adlithium. The therapeutic composition can also be in the form of an oilemulsion or dispersion in conjunction with a lipophilic salt such aspamoic acid, or in the form of a biodegradable sustained-releasecomposition for subcutaneous or intramuscular administration.

Useful pharmaceutical carriers for the preparation of the compositionshereof, can be solids, liquids or gases; thus, the compositions can takethe form of tablets, pills, capsules, suppositories, powders,enterically coated or other protected formulations (e.g. binding onion-exchange resins or packaging in lipid-protein vesicles), sustainedrelease formulations, solutions, suspensions, elixirs, aerosols, and thelike. The carrier can be selected from the various oils including thoseof petroleum, animal, vegetable or synthetic origin, e.g., peanut oil,soybean oil, mineral oil, sesame oil, and the like. Water, saline,aqueous dextrose, and glycols are preferred liquid carriers,particularly (when isotonic with the blood) for injectable solutions.For example, formulations for intravenous administration comprisesterile aqueous solutions of the active ingredient(s) which are preparedby dissolving solid active ingredient(s) in water to produce an aqueoussolution, and rendering the solution sterile. Suitable pharmaceuticalexcipients include starch, cellulose, talc, glucose, lactose, gelatin,malt, rice, flour, chalk, silica, magnesium stearate, sodium stearate,glycerol monostearate, sodium chloride, dried skim milk, glycerol,propylene glycol, water, ethanol, and the like. The compositions may besubjected to conventional pharmaceutical additives such aspreservatives, stabilizing agents, wetting or emulsifying agents, saltsfor adjusting osmotic pressure, buffers and the like. Suitablepharmaceutical carriers and their formulation are described inRemington's Pharmaceutical Sciences by E. W. Martin. Such compositionswill, in any event, contain an effective amount of the active compoundtogether with a suitable carrier so as to prepare the proper dosage formfor proper administration to the recipient.

The dose of a compound of the present invention depends on a number offactors, such as, for example, the manner of administration, the age andthe body weight of the subject, and the condition of the subject to betreated, and ultimately will be decided by the attending physician orveterinarian. Such an amount of the active compound as determined by theattending physician or veterinarian is referred to herein, and in theclaims, as an “effective amount”. For example, the dose of a compound ofthe present invention is typically in the range of about 1 to about 1000mg per day.

The invention will now be further described in the Examples below, whichare intended as an illustration only and do not limit the scope of theinvention.

EXAMPLES

Reagents were purchased from Aldrich, Sigma, Maybridge, AdvancedChemTech, and Lancaster or other suppliers as indicated below and usedwithout further purification. Reactions using microwave irradiation forheating were conducted using either a Personal Chemistry Emrys OptimizerSystem or a CEM Discovery System. The purification of multi-milligram tomulti-gram scale was conducted by methods known know to those skilled inthe art such as elution of silica gel flash column; preparative flashcolumn purifications were also effected in some cases by use of disposalpre-packed multigram silica gel columns (RediSep) eluted with aCombiFlash system. Biotage™ and ISCO™ are also flash column instrumentsthat may have been used in this invention for purification ofintermediates.

For the purpose of judging compound identity and purity, LC/MS (liquidchromatography/mass spectroscopy) spectra were recorded using thefollowing system. For measurement of mass spectra, the system consistsof a Micromass Platform II spectrometer: ES Ionization in positive mode(mass range: 150-1200 amu). The simultaneous chromatographic separationwas achieved with the following HPLC system: ES Industries ChromegabondWR C-18 3 u 120 Å (3.2×30 mm) column cartridge; Mobile Phase A: Water(0.02% TFA) and Phase B: Acetonitrile (0.02% TFA); gradient 10% B to 90%B in 3 minutes; equilibration time of 1 minute; flow rate of 2mL/minute. In some cases, ammonium acetate at 20 millimolarconcentration was used as a modifier for effective ionization duringpreparative HPLC. In such cases, the ammonium salt was isolated.

For some separations, the use of super critical fluid chromatography mayalso be useful. Super critical fluid chromatography separations wereperformed using a Mettler-Toledo Minigram system with the followingtypical conditions: 100 bar, 30° C., 2.0 mL/min eluting a 12 mm ADcolumn with 40% MeOH in super critical fluid CO₂. In the case ofanalytes with basic amino groups, 0.2% isopropyl amine was added to themethanol modifier.

Many compounds of Formula 1 were also purified by reversed phased HPLC,using methods well known to those skilled in the art. In some cases,preparative HPLC purification was conducted using PE Sciex 150 EX MassSpec controlling a Gilson 215 collector attached to a Shimadzupreparative HPLC system and a Leap autoinjector. Compounds werecollected from the elution stream using LC/MS detection in the positiveion detection: The elution of compounds from C-18 columns (2.0×10 cmeluting at 20 ml/min) was effected using appropriate linear gradationmode over 10 minutes of Solvent (A) 0.05% TFA/H2O and Solvent (B) 0.035%TFA/acetonitrile. For injection on to HPLC systems, the crude sampleswere dissolved in mixtures of methanol, acetonitrile and DMSO

H-Cube™ (produced by Thales Nanotechnology) is a continuous-flowhydrogenation reactor equipped with in situ hydrogen generation and adisposable catalyst cartridge CatCart™ The reaction mixture can beheated and pressurized up to 100° C. and 100 bar (1450 psi)respectively. Reaction scale can be varied from 10 mg to 100 g.

Compounds were characterized either by ¹H-NMR using a Varian Inova 400MHz NMR Spectrometer or a Varian Mercury 300 MHz NMR Spectrometer aswell as by high resolution mass spectrometry using a Bruker Apex-IIhigh-resolution 4.7T FT-Mass Spectrometer.

AIBN 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile, Bu butyl, DCE 1,2-dichloroethane, DCMdichloromethane, DIPEA diisopropylethylamine, DMF N,N-dimethylformamide,DMSO dimethylsulfoxide, EtOAc ethyl acetate, EtOH ethyl alcohol, FCCflash column chromatography, h hour, HPLC high pressure liquidchromatography, HRMS high resolution mass spectra, LRMS low resolutiommass spectra, LC liquid chromatography, L-Pro L-proline, MCPBAmeta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, MeOH methyl alcohol, MW microwave, NISN-iodosuccinimide, NBS N-bromosuccinimide, NMP 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone,PdCl₂(dppf) [1,1′-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II), PG protecting group, PyBroPbromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, rt roomtemperature, TBAF tetrabutylammonium fluoride, TBDMStert-butyl-dimethylsilyl, TBTU2-(1H-benzotriazole-1-y1)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate,TMS trimethylsilyl, TMSSMe (methylthio)trimethylsilane, TEAtriethylamine, TEMPO 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl, TFAtrifluoroacetic acid, THF tetrahydrofuran.

I. Preparation of Preferred Intermediates Preparation of4-[3-(6-bromo-hexyl)-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester 1) Preparation of 4-(2,3-dimethyl-phenoxy)-butyric acidethyl ester

To a solution of 2,3-dimethylphenol (25 g, 204 mmol) in DMSO (205 mL)was added 4-bromo-butyric acid ethyl ester (40.96 g, 210 mmol) andlithium hydride (2.0 g, 250 mmol) at room temperature. The resultinglight brown solution was stirred for 2 days. Then, the reaction mixturewas cooled to 0° C. and water (200 mL) was added slowly. The organiccompound was extracted into hexanes (2×200 mL). The combined organicextracts were washed with brine solution (150 mL) and the organicsolution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Filtration of thedrying agent and the removal of the solvent gave light brown oil. Thecrude mixture was purified by using a Biotage™ (40 L) columnchromatography eluting with 5% ethyl acetate in hexanes to isolate4-(2,3-dimethyl-phenoxy)-butyric acid ethyl ester (45.32 g, 94%) as acolorless oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calculated for C₁₄H₂₀O₃ (M+)⁺ 236.1412.found 236.1419.

2) Preparation of 4-(2-formyl-3-methyl-phenoxy)-butyric acid ethyl ester

A mixture of copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate (21.98 g, 88.06 mmol) andpotassium persulfate (71.42 g, 264 mmol) in water (396 mL) was heated to63-65° C. to obtain a blue colored solution. Then, a solution of4-(2,3-dimethyl-phenoxy)-butyric acid ethyl ester (20.81 g, 88.06 mmol)in acetonitrile (220 mL) was added at the above temperature. Theresulting light green solution was refluxed for 40 minutes. Then, thereaction mixture was cooled to ˜5° C. in order to precipitate most ofthe inorganic solids. The resulting solids were collected by filtrationand the solid cake was washed with dichloromethane (1.0 L). The twolayers of filtrate were separated and the aqueous layer was extractedwith dichloromethane (200 mL). The combined organic extracts were washedwith brine solution (150 mL) and the organic solution was dried overanhydrous magnesium sulfate. Filtration of the drying agent and theremoval of the solvent gave a brown oil. The crude mixture was purifiedby using a Biotage™ (40 L) column chromatography eluting with 5-10%ethyl acetate in hexanes to obtain 4-(2-formyl-3-methyl-phenoxy)-butyricacid ethyl ester (45.32 g, 94%) as a colorless oil: EI(+)-HRMS m/ecalculated for C₁₄H₁₈O₄ (M+)⁺ 250.1205. found 250.1202.

3) Preparation of4-[2((E)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-3-methyl-phenoxy]-butyric acid ethylester

Sodium metal spheres (1.6 g, 69.6 mmol) were added to ethanol (100 mL)with stirring at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere over 15 min.An exothermic reaction occurred and the mixture was stirred for another15 min to form sodium ethoxide. After cooling to room temperature,triethylphosphonoacetate (14.7 mL, 73.4 mmol) and4-(2-formyl-3-methyl-phenoxy)-butyric acid ethyl ester (13.25 g, 52.9mmol) were added sequentially. During the addition of4-(2-formyl-3-methyl-phenoxy)-butyric acid ethyl ester, the color of thesolution turned brown and the temperature increased to ˜55° C. Theresulting brown solution was stirred for 2 days at room temperature.Then, the reaction mixture was diluted with water (150 mL) and stirredfor 1 h. Then, the organic compound was extracted into hexanes (3×100mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine solution (150mL) and the organic solution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate.Filtration of the drying agent and the removal of the solvent gave alight yellow oil. The crude oil was dissolved in hexanes (˜50 mL) andtreated with charcoal and heated gently with a heat gun. After coolingto room temperature, the charcoal was filtered-off and the filtrate wasremoved under vacuum to give4-[2-((E)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-3-methyl-phenoxy]-butyric acid ethylester (13.25 g, 78%) as colorless oil: EI(+)-HRMS m/e calculated forC₁₈H₂₄O₅ (M+)⁺ 320.1624. found 320.1626.

4) Preparation of4-[3-bromomethyl-2-(E)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester

To a solution of4-[2-((E)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-3-methyl-phenoxy]-butyric acid ethylester (8.0 g, 25.0 mmol) in chlorobenzene (190 mL) were addedN-bromosuccinimide (6.67 g, 37.5 mmol) and 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile(AIBN) (591 mg, 3.6 mmol) at room temperature. Then, the solution washeated to 85° C. and stirred for 1 h. Then, the reaction mixture wascooled to room temperature and diluted with water (100 mL). Then, theorganic compound was extracted into hexanes (3×100 mL). The combinedorganic extracts were washed with brine solution (150 mL) and theorganic solution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Filtrationof the drying agent and the removal of the solvent gave a crude oil. Thecrude oil was purified by using a Biotage (40 L) column eluting with15-25% ethyl acetate in hexanes to isolate4-[3-bromomethyl-2-((E)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester (7.11 g, 71%) as a low melting solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/ecalculated for C₁₈H₂₃BrO₅ (M+Na)⁺ 421.0621, found 421.0621.

5) Preparation of 5-(tent-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-pentanal

To a solution of 5-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-pentanol (16.8 mmol,3.66 g) in dichloromethane (30 mL) were added water (5.6 mL), potassiumbromide (1.7 mmol, 202 mg), n-tetrabutylammonium hydrogensulfate (0.84mmol, 290 mg), and TEMPO (30 mg) at room temperature. The resultinglight brown solution was cooled to ˜5° C. and a solution of sodiumhypochlorite (19.3 mmol, 30 mL, 5%) was added dropwise at thistemperature. After addition of half of the sodium hypochlorite solution,solid potassium carbonate (300 mg) was added to maintain the reactionmixture basic. Then, the remaining sodium hypochlorite solution wasadded at 5-10° C. By this point, a precipitate had formed and thereaction mixture was stirred for another 1 h at ˜10-15° C. Then, water(100 mL) was added and the resulting solution was extracted into diethylether (2×100 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with brinesolution (150 mL) and the organic layer was dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate. Filtration of the drying agent and the removal of thesolvent gave 5-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-pentanal (3.32 g, 91%)as a light brown oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calculated for C₁₁H₂₄O₂Si (M+H)⁺217.1619. found 217.1619.

6) Preparation of4-[3-[6-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-hex-1-enyl]-2-((E)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A solution of4-[3-bromomethyl-2-((E)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester (2.0 mmol, 798 mg) and triphenylphosphine (2.2 mmol, 577 mg)in acetonitrile (12 mL) was heated to reflux for 1 h under nitrogenatmosphere. Then, it was cooled to room temperature and a solution of5-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-pentanal (2.8 mmol, 606 mg) in1,2-epoxybutane (22 mL) was added at room temperature and the mixturewas again heated to reflux for 15 h. During this period, the mixturefirst turned to a brick red color and at the end of the reaction it hadbecome a pale yellow solution. Then, the reaction mixture was cooled toroom temperature and the solvent was removed under vacuum. The residuewas dissolved in a solution of ethyl acetate and hexanes (1:3, 150 mL)and the resulting cloudy solution was washed with a mixture of methanoland water (2:1, 225 mL). The aqueous layer was extracted one more timewith ethyl acetate and hexanes (1:3, 50 mL). The combined organicextracts were washed with brine solution (150 mL) and the organicsolution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Filtration of thedrying agent and the removal of the solvent gave light brown oil. Thecrude mixture was purified by using a Biotage™ (40 L) columnchromatograph eluting with 5 and 15% ethyl acetate in hexanes to obtainthe desired4-[3-[6-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-hex-1-enyl]-2-((E)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (760 mg, 74%) as a colorless oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/ecalculated for C₂₉H₄₆O₆Si (M+Na)⁺ 541.2956. found 541.2953.

7) Preparation of4-[3-[6-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a solution of4-[3-[6-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-hex-1-enyl]-2-((E)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (0.977 mmol, 507 mg) in ethyl acetate (10 mL) was added10% palladium on carbon (350 mg) at room temperature. The resultingblack mixture was stirred in the presence of atmospheric hydrogen gas ina balloon for 36 h at room temperature. Then, the catalyst was removedby filtration using a filter paper and the residue was washed with hotethyl acetate (˜60 mL). The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and theresulting residue was dried under high vacuum to obtain4-[3-[6-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (438 mg, 86%) as a colorless oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/ecalculated for C₂₉H₅₀O₆Si (M+Na)⁺ 545.3269. found 545.3267.

8) Preparation of4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-(6-hydroxy-hexyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester

To a solution of4-[3-[6-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (0.837 mmol, 438 mg) in THF (12 mL) was added asolution of n-tetrabutyl ammonium fluoride (1.25 mmol, 1.25 mL, 1.0M) inTHF at 0° C. Then, the resulting colorless solution was allowed to warmto room temperature in 2 h and the mixture was stirred for another 2 hat room temperature before being diluted with water (˜50 mL). Theorganic compound was extracted into ethyl acetate (2×50 mL) and thecombined extracts were washed with brine solution (100 mL). The organicsolution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the filtrate wasremoved under vacuum after filtration of the drying agent. The cruderesidue was dried further under high vacuum and the desired4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-(6-hydroxy-hexyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester (342 mg, 99%) was isolated as a colorless oil: ES(+)-HRMSm/e calculated for C₂₃H₃₆O₆ (M+Na)⁺ 431.2404. found 431.2404.

9) Preparation of4-[3-(6-bromo-hexyl)-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester

To a solution of4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-(6-hydroxy-hexyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester (0.85 mmol, 349 mg) and carbon tetrabromide (1.26 mmol, 423mg) in dichloromethane (10 mL) was added triphenylphosphine (1.07 mmol,281 mg) at ˜0° C. The resulting colorless solution was stirred for 3 hat 5-10° C. Then, the solvent was removed under vacuum and the crude wastried to dissolve in a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexanes (1:3, 50mL). As a result, a cloudy solution containing some precipitate wasformed and the cloudy solution was transferred into a reparatory funneland was washed with a mixture of methanol and water (2:1, 150 mL). Theaqueous layer was extracted one more time with ethyl acetate and hexanes(1:3, 50 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with brinesolution (100 mL) and the organic solution was dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate. Filtration of the drying agent and the removal of thesolvent gave a colorless oil which was purified by using a Biotage™(40M) column chromatography eluting with 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes toobtain the desired4-[3-(6-bromo-hexyl)-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester (350 mg, 87.5%) as a colorless oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/ecalculated for C₂₃H₃₅BrO₅ (M+Na)⁺ 493.1560. found 493.1560.

II. Preparation of Preferred Compounds Method A Step 1:3-Bromo-5-hydroxy-benzoic acid

To a solution of NaOH (12.2 g; 305.8 mmol) in 300 mL of water was added3-bromo-5-iodo-benzoic acid (20 g, 61.2 mmol) and Cu₂O (866 mg, 6.1mmol). The reaction mixture was heated at 100° C. for 24 h. Aftercomplete consumption of the starting material, the reaction mixture wascooled to room temperature and filtered through Celite™. The filtratewas then acidified with 10% aq. HCl and extracted into ethyl acetate.The organic extract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate andconcentrated under reduced pressure to afford the title compound as atan solid (12.3 g, 93% yield). HR-ES (−) calcd for C₇H_(S)O₃Br [M−H]⁻214.9349, observed 214.9350

Step 2: 3-Bromo-5-hydroxymethyl-phenol

To a solution of 3-bromo-5-hydroxy-benzoic acid (5.0 g, 23.4 mmol) in 40mL of THF was added a solution of 1M LiAlH₄ (30 mL), and the resultingsolution was heated to reflux for 2 h. After cooling to roomtemperature, the reaction mixture was poured on ice and acidified with10% aq. HCl. The solution was then filtered under vacuum and thefiltrate was extracted with EtOAc. The organic extract was dried overanhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. Thecrude material was purified by column chromatography (Isco™ 120 g) using50% ethyl acetate/hexanes as eluting solvents to afford the titlecompound as a white solid (1.7 g, 36% yield). HR-ES(−) calcd forC₇H₇O₂Br [M−H]⁻ 200.9556, observed 200.9557.

Step 3:4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a solution of4-[3-(6-bromo-hexyl)-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester (4.2 g, 8.9 mmol), 3-Bromo-5-hydroxymethyl-phenol (1.5 g,7.4 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (40 mL) and acetone (80 mL) was addedpotassium carbonate (10.2 g, 74.2 mmol) at room temperature. Theresulting suspension was heated to 70° C. for 24 h. Then, the reactionmixture was cooled to room temperature and diluted with water and 10%aq. HCl. The organic compound was extracted into ethyl acetate and thecombined organic extracts were washed with water and brine solution. Theorganic layers were dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solventwas removed under reduced pressure. The crude material was purified bycolumn chromatography (Isco™ 120 g) with 0-50% ethyl acetate/hexanes aseluting solvents to afford the title compound (4.3 g, 99%) as acolorless oil. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₀H₄₁O₇Br [M+Na]⁺ 615.1928, observed615.1926.

Step 4:4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

To a solution of4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (1.0 g, 1.68 mmol) in hot ethanol (40 mL) was addedaqueous 2.0 N sodium hydroxide (10 mL). The resulting solution washeated to 60° C. and stirred for 4 h. Then, the reaction mixture wascooled down and diluted with EtOAc, washed with 10% aq. HCl and brine.The combined ethyl acetate extracts were dried over anhydrous sodiumsulfate and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to afford 805mg (89%) of title compound as a light yellow oil. HR-ES(+) calcd forC₂₆H₃₃O₇Br [M+Na]⁺ 559.1302, observed 559.1299.

Step 5: General Procedure for Suzuki Coupling

To a solution of4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (100 mg, 0.19 mmol), potassium carbonate (105 mg, 0.76 mmol),boronic acid (0.38 mmol) in EtOH (4 mL)/H₂O (1 mL) was added Pd(PPh₃)₄(11 mg, 5 mol %). The reaction mixture was heated at 78° C. for 12 h,cooled down to room temperature then diluted with EtOAc. The resultingsolution was washed with 10% aq. HCl and brine. The organic layer wasthen dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuo toafford the crude material. The desired products were isolated bypreparative HPLC.

Example 14-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in Step 5 with 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylboronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₃H₃₈O₉ (M+Na)⁺ 601.2408. found601.2407.

Example 24-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-hydroxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in Step 5 with phenylboronic acid.HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₂H₃₈O₇ (M+H)⁺ 535.2689. found 535.2689.

Example 34-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-hydroxymethyl-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in Step 5 with 3-thiopheneboronic acid.HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₀H₃₆O₇S (M+Na)⁺ 563.2074. found 563.2076.

Example 44-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-fluoro-5-hydroxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in Step 5 with 4-fluorophenylboronicacid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₂H₃₇O₇F (M+Na)⁺ 575.2415. found 575.2413.

Example 54-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-chloro-5-hydroxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in Step 5 with 4-chlororophenylboronicacid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₂H₃₇O₇Cl (M+Na)⁺ 591.2120. found 591.2121.

Example 64-(2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-5-hydroxymethylphenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyric acid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in Step 5 with1,4-benzodioxane-6-boronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₄H₄₀O₉Cl (M+Na)⁺615.2564. found 615.2563.

Example 74-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-hydroxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-{2-(2-Ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-hydroxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a mixture of4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethyoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (2.0 g, 3.34 mmol), 4-methanesulfonylphenylboronic acid(1.35 g, 6.74 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (369.8 mg,0.51 mmol), and cesium carbonate (2.22 g, 6.74 mmol) was addeddimethoxyethane (100 mL) at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere.The resulting brown reaction mixture was heated to 96° C. and stirredfor 15 h at which time the TLC analysis of the reaction mixtureindicated the absence of starting material. Then, the reaction mixturewas cooled to room temperature and diluted with water and ethyl acetate.The two layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted withethyl acetate and the combined organic extracts were washed with waterand brine solution. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous magnesiumsulfate and filtration of the drying agent and removal of the solventunder vacuum gave the colored residue which was purified by using anISCO 120 g column to obtain4-{2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-hydroxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid ethyl ester (1.23 g, 55%) as a light brown oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/ecalcd for C₃₇H₄₈O₉S (M+Na)⁺ 691.2911. found 691.2913.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-hydroxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]phenoxy]-butyricacid

To a solution of the4-{2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-hydroxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid ethyl ester (250 mg, 0.37 mmol) in THF (5 mL) and ethanol (5 mL)was added aqueous 1.0 N sodium hydroxide (4 mL) at room temperature. Theresulting suspension was stirred for 5 h at room temperature at whichtime TLC analysis of the mixture indicated the absence of startingmaterial. Then, the reaction mixture was concentrated and the residuewas diluted with water (20 mL) and extracted with diethyl ether (30 mL)to remove any neutral impurities. The aqueous layer was acidified with1.0 N hydrochloric acid and the precipitated white organic compound wasextracted into ethyl acetate (2×30 mL). The combined ethyl acetateextracts were washed with brine solution (50 mL) and the organic layerswere dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Filtration of the dryingagent and removal of the solvent afforded4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-hydroxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (65 mg, 37%) as a white solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd for C₃₃H₄₀O₉S(M+Na)⁺ 635.2285. found 635.2284.

Method B Step 1:4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a solution of4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (1.25 g, 2.1 mmol) in DMF (25 mL) were added sodiumhydride (211 mg, 5.26 mmol) and iodomethane (747 mg, 5.26 mmol) at roomtemperature. The resulting suspension was stirred for 15 h and then theexcess sodium hydride was quenched by slow addition of water (5 mL). Themixture was diluted with 1.0N hydrochloric acid (50 mL) and the organiccompound was extracted into ethyl acetate (2×50 mL). The combinedextracts were washed with brine solution (100 mL) and dried overanhydrous magnesium sulfate. Filtration of the drying agent and removalof the solvent under vacuum afforded the crude residue which waspurified by using an ISCO 40 g column, eluting with 0-30% ethyl acetatein hexanes to obtain4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (1.03 g, 81%) as a colorless viscous oil: EI(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₃₁H₄₃BrO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 629.2084. found 629.2085.

Step 2:4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

To a solution of4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (500 mg, 0.82 mmol) in hot ethanol (20 mL) was addedaqueous 2.0 N sodium hydroxide (5 mL). The resulting solution was heatedto 60° C. and stirred for 4 h. Then, the reaction mixture was cooleddown and diluted with EtOAc, washed with 10% aq. HCl and brine. Thecombined ethyl acetate extracts were dried over anhydrous sodium sulfateand the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to afford 400 mg(89%) of title compound as a light yellow oil. HR-ES(+) calcd forC₂₇H₃₅O₇Br [M+Na]⁺ 573.1458, observed 573.1459.

Step 3: General Procedure for Suzuki Coupling

Method A:

To a solution of4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (100 mg, 0.19 mmol), potassium carbonate (105 mg, 0.76 mmol),boronic acid (0.38 mmol) in EtOH (4 mL)/H₂O (1 mL) was added Pd(PPh₃)₄(11 mg, 5 mol %). The reaction mixture was heated at 78° C. for 12 h,cooled down to room temperature then diluted with EtOAc. The resultingsolution was washed with 10% aq. HCl and brine. The organic layer wasthen dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuo toafford the crude material. The desired products were isolated bypreparative HPLC.

Method B:

To a mixture of4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester, boronic acid[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II), and cesiumcarbonate was added dimethoxyethane (10 mL) at room temperature undernitrogen atmosphere. The resulting brown reaction mixture was heated to96° C. and stirred for 15 h at which time the TLC analysis of thereaction mixture indicated the absence of starting material. Then, thereaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and diluted with water(50 mL) and ethyl acetate (50 mL). The two layers were separated and theaqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (50 mL) and the combinedorganic extracts were washed with water (50 mL) and brine solution (50mL). The organic layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate andfiltration of the drying agent and removal of the solvent under vacuumgave the colored residue which was purified by using an ISCO 40 column.eluting with 0-25% ethyl acetate in hexanes to obtain the desiredproduct.

Example 84-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 3 using method A with3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl boronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₄H₄₀O₉(M+Na)⁺ 615.2564. found 615.2564.

Example 94-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 3 using method A withphenylboronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₃H₄₀O₇ (M+Na)⁺ 571.2666. found571.2665.

Example 104-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-fluoro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 3 using method A with4-fluorophenylboronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₃H₃₉O₇F (M+Na)⁺589.2572. found 589.2574.

Example 114-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-chloro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 3 using method A with4-chlorophenylboronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₃H₃₉O₇Cl (M+Na)⁺605.2276. found 605.2279.

Example 124-(2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyric acid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 3 using method A with1,4-benzodioxane-6-boronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₅H₄₂O₉ (M+Na)⁺629.2721. found 629.2719.

Example 134-(2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-methoxymethyl-5-(4-methyl-thiophen-3-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 3 using method A with4-methyl-3-thiopheneboronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₂H₄₀O₇S (M+Na)⁺591.2387. found 591.2387.

Example 144-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′-fluoro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 3 using method A with3-fluorophenylboronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₃H₃₉O₇F (M+Na)⁺589.2572. found 589.2571.

Example 154-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(2′-fluoro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 3 using method A with2-fluorophenylboronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₃H₃₉O₇F (M+Na)⁺589.2572. found 589.2573.

Example 164-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′,5′-difluoro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 3 using method A with3,5-difluorophenylboronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₃H₃₈O₇F₂ (M+Na)⁺607.2478. found 607.2474.

Example 174-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-methoxymethyl-4′-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 3 using method A with4-trifluoromethylphenylboronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₄H₃₉O₇F₃(M+Na)⁺ 639.2540. found 639.2537.

Example 184-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′-chloro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 3 using method A with3-chlorophenylboronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₃H₃₉O₇Cl (M+Na)⁺605.2276. found 605.2279.

Example 194-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′-methoxy-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 3 using method A with3-methoxyphenylboronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₄H₄₂O₈ (M+Na)⁺601.2772. found 601.2774.

Example 204-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-methoxymethyl-4′-trifluoromethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 3 using method A with4-trifluoromethoxyphenylboronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₄H₃₉O₈F₃(M+Na)⁺ 655.2489. found 655.2489.

Example 214-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′,4′-difluoro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in step 3, method B was used, startingfrom4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (184 mg, 0.33 mmol), 3,4-difluorophenylboronic acid (106 mg, 0.66mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (44mg, 0.06 mmol), and cesium carbonate (434 mg, 1.33 mmol) to obtain4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′,4′-difluoro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (180 mg, 93%) as a light yellow paste: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₃H₃₈F₂O₇ (M+Na)⁺ 607.2478. found 607.2478.

Example 224-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-methoxymethyl-5-pyrimidin-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in step 3, method B was used, startingfrom4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (209 mg, 0.38 mmol), 5-pyrimidinylboronic acid (94 mg, 0.76 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (51 mg, 0.07mmol), and cesium carbonate (492 mg, 1.51 mmol) to obtain4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-methoxymethyl-5-pyrimidin-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (146 mg, 70%) as a light brown paste: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₁H₃₈N₂O₇ (M+H)⁺ 551.2752. found 551.2748.

Example 234-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(1H-indol-5-yl)-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in step 3, method B was used, startingfrom4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (175 mg, 0.31 mmol), 5-indoleboronic acid (104 mg, 0.64 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (51 mg, 0.07mmol), and cesium carbonate (417 mg, 1.28 mmol) to obtain4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(1H-indol-5-yl)-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid (125 mg, 69%) as a light brown solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₅H₄₁NO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 610.2775. found 610.2774.

Example 244-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-methanesulfonyl-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-{2-(2-Ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-methanesulfonyl-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a solution of4-{2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-hydroxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid ethyl ester (250 mg, 0.37 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) were added sodiumhydride (29.9 mg, 0.75 mmol), and iodomethane (106.2 mg, 0.75 mmol) atroom temperature. The resulting suspension was stirred for 15 h and thenthe excess sodium hydride was quenched by slow addition of water (5 mL).The mixture was diluted with 1.0N hydrochloric acid (25 mL) and theorganic compound was extracted into ethyl acetate (2×25 mL). Thecombined extracts were washed with brine solution (50 mL) and dried overanhydrous magnesium sulfate. Filtration of the drying agent and removalof the solvent under vacuum afforded the crude residue which waspurified by using an ISCO 40 g column to obtain4-{2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-methanesulfonyl-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid ethyl ester (200 mg, 78%) as a light brown oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/ecalcd for C₃₈H₅₀O₉S (M+Na)⁺ 705.3068. found 705.3069.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(-4′-methanesulfonyl-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

To a solution of the4-{2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-methanesulfonyl-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid ethyl ester (195 mg, 0.29 mmol) in THF (5 mL) and ethanol (5 mL)was added aqueous 1.0 N sodium hydroxide (3 mL) at room temperature. Theresulting suspension was stirred for 5 h at room temperature at whichtime TLC analysis of the mixture indicated the absence of startingmaterial. Then, the reaction mixture was concentrated and the residuewas diluted with water (20 mL) and extracted with diethyl ether (30 mL)to remove any neutral impurities. The aqueous layer was acidified with1.0 N hydrochloric acid and the precipitated white organic compound wasextracted into ethyl acetate (2×30 mL). The combined ethyl acetateextracts were washed with brine solution (50 mL) and the organic layerswere dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Filtration of the dryingagent and removal of the solvent afforded4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(-4′-methanesulfonyl-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (168 mg, 94%) as a white solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd for C₃₄H₄₂O₉S(M+Na)⁺ 649.2442. found 649.2440.

Example 254-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-ethoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-ethoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a solution of4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (1.0 g, 1.68 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (10 mL) wasadded iodoethane (403 μL, 5.04 mmol) and sodium hydride, 60% dispersionin mineral oil (202 mg. 5.04 mmol) at room temperature. The resultingsuspension was stirred for 5 h. Then, the reaction mixture was dilutedwith water and brine. The organic compound was extracted into ethylacetate and the combined organic extracts were washed with brinesolution. The organic layers were dried over anhydrous sodium sulfateand the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude materialwas purified by column chromatography (Isco™ 40 g) with 0-30% ethylacetate/hexanes as eluting solvents to afford the title compound (550mg, 53%) as a colorless oil.

HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₂H₄₅O₇Br [M+Na]⁺ 643.2241, observed 643.2240.

Step 2: General Procedure for Suzuki Reaction and Saponification

To a solution of4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-ethoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (100 mg, 0.16 mmol), cesium carbonate (207 mg, 0.64mmol) and boronic acid (0.32 mmol) in DME (4 mL) was added Pd(PPh₃)₄ (9mg, 5 mol %). The reaction mixture was heated at 90° C. for 12 h, cooleddown to room temperature then diluted with EtOAc. The resulting solutionwas washed with 10% aq. HCl and brine. The organic layer was then driedover anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuo to afford thecrude material. Without further purification, the crude sample wasdissolved in hot ethanol (4 mL) and 2.0N sodium hydroxide (1 mL) wasadded. The resulting solution was heated to 60° C. and stirred for 4 h.Then, the reaction mixture was cooled down and diluted with EtOAc,washed with 10% aq. HCl and brine. The combined ethyl acetate extractswere dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removedunder reduced pressure. The desired products were isolated bypreparative HPLC.

4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-ethoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 2 with 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylboronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₅H₄₂O₉ (M+Na)⁺ 629.2721. found629.2724.

Example 264-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxymethyl-4′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 2 with 4-fluorophenylboronicacid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₄H₄₁O₇F (M+Na)⁺ 603.2728. found 603.2733.

Example 274-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxymethyl-4′-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 2 with4-trifluoromethylphenylboronic acid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₅H₄₁O₇F₃(M+Na)⁺ 653.2696. found 653.2700.

Example 284-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxymethyl-4′-chloro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by following the general procedure forSuzuki coupling described above in step 2 with 4-chlorophenylboronicacid. HR-ES(+) calcd for C₃₄H₄₁O₇Cl (M+Na)⁺ 619.2433. found 619.2434.

Example 294-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-{2-(2-Ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 24, step 1 was used,starting from4-{2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-hydroxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid ethyl ester (250 mg, 0.37 mmol), sodium hydride (29.9 mg, 0.75mmol), and iodoethane (116.7 mg, 0.75 mmol) to obtain4-{2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid ethyl ester (110 mg, 42%) as a light brown oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/ecalcd for C₃₉H₅₂O₉S (M+Na)⁺ 719.3224, found 719.3227.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 24, step 2 was used,starting from4-{2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid ethyl ester (101 mg, 0.145 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(1.5 mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (90 mg, 97%) as a white solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd for C₃₅H₄₄O₉S(M+Na)⁺ 663.2598. found 663.2594.

Method C Step 1:4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-methanesulfonyloxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a solution of4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (2.99 g, 5.05 mmol) in DCM (100 mL), TEA (3.52 mL,25.26 mmol), DMAP (62 mg, 0.505 mmol) were added, followed by MsCl (0.60mL, 7.58 mmol), and stirred at room temperature for 2.5 h. MeOH (4 mL)was added to quench the reaction. The solvent was removed under reducedpressure. Flash column chromatography (40% EtOAc/Hex) provided acolorless oil (2.51 g, 74% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.11-7.05 (m, 3H),6.86 (s, 1H), 6.77 (d, 1H), 6.68 (d, 1H), 5.14 (s, 2H), 4.17-4.08 (m,4H), 4.01-3.91 (m, 4H), 2.99-2.93 (m, 5H), 2.63 (dd, 2H), 2.56-2.46 (m,4H), 2.17-0.89 (m, 16H).

Step 2:4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-dimethylaminomethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

The a solution of4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-methanesulfonyloxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (2.5 g, 3.72 mmol) in MeCN (40 mL), N,N-dimethylamine2M/THF (3.72 mL, 7.44 mmol) was added, and stirred at room temperatureovernight. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. Flash columnchromatography (50% EtOAc/Hex) provided a light yellow oil (1.47 g, 64%yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.08 (t, 1H), 7.03 (s, 1H), 6.93 (s, 1H), 6.79(s, 1H), 6.77 (d, 1H), 6.68 (d, 1H), 4.17-4.06 (m, 4H), 3.99 (dd, 2H),3.92 (dd, 2H), 3.34 (s, 2H), 2.97 (dd, 2H), 2.63 (dd, 2H), 2.56-2.46 (m,4H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 2.17-0.89 (m, 16H).

Step 3: 4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-cyanomethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonylethyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acid ethyl ester

To a solution of4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-methanesulfonyloxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (2.51 g, 3.74 mmol) in DMF (40 mL), KCN (292 mg, 4.48mmol) was added and stirred a 60° C. overnight. The reaction was dilutedwith EtOAc (250 mL) washed with water (100 mL×2), brine (50 mL), driedwith Na₂SO₄. Concentration under reduced pressure provided an oil. Flashcolumn chromatography (30% EtOAc/Hex) provided a light yellow oil (1.19g, 53% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.08 (t, 1H), 7.04 (s, 1H), 6.99 (s,1H), 6.79 (s, 1H), 6.77 (d, 1H), 6.68 (d, 1H), 4.17-4.06 (m, 4H),4.01-3.91 (m, 4H), 3.68 (s, 2H), 2.97 (dd, 2H), 2.63 (dd, 2H), 2.56-2.46(m, 4H), 2.17-0.89 (m, 16H).

Step 4: General Procedure for Suzuki Reaction and Saponification

In a sealable tube, an aryl bromide derivative (100 mg, 0.157 mmol) inDME (3 mL) was added, followed by Boronic acid (100 mg), Cs₂CO₃ (100mg), and PdCl₂(dppf) (20 mg). The reaction mixture was shaken at 90° C.overnight. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc (5 mL), washed with water(3 mL). The organic layer was separated, concentration under reducedpressure gave an oil, which was used in the next step without furtherpurification. The residue oil was dissolved in EtOH (5 mL), 3N NaOH (0.5mL) was added and stirred at 60° C. for 3 h. 3N HCl (0.55 mL) was addedto neutralize the reactions. Concentration under reduced pressure gavean oil which was purified by preparative HPLC to provide the followingcompounds.

Example 304-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-dimethylaminomethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared according to general method described instep 4 by reaction of4-[3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxy-carbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester with 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylboronic Acid. LC/MSindicated a purity of 93% as measured by UV 214 nM. HR-ES(+):calculatedfor C₃₅H₄₄NO₈ (M+H)¹⁺ 606.3062. found 606.3060.

Example 314-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared according to general method described instep 4 by reaction of4-[3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxy-carbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester with thiopheneboronic acid. LC/MS indicated a purity of100% as measured by UV 214 nM. HR-ES(+):calculated for C₃₂H₄₂NO₆S(M+H)¹⁺ 568.2728, found 568.2726.

Example 324-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared according to general method described instep 4 by reaction of4-[3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxy-carbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester with phenylboronic acid. LC/MS indicated a purity of100% as measured by UV 214 nM. HR-ES(+):calculated for C₃₄H₄₄NO₆ (M+H)¹⁺562.3163, found 562.3161.

Example 334-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl-4′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared according to general method described instep 4 by reaction of4-[3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxy-carbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester with 4-fluorophenylboronic acid. LC/MS indicated apurity of 100% as measured by UV 214 nM. HR-ES(+):calculated forC₃₄H₄₃NO₆F (M+H)¹⁺ 580.3069. found 580.3068.

Example 344-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-chloro-5-dimethylaminomethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared according to general method described instep 4 by reaction of4-[3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxy-carbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester with 4-chlorophenylboronic acid. LC/MS indicated apurity of 100% as measured by UV 214 nM. HR-ES(+):calculated forC₃₄H₄₃NO₆Cl (M+H)¹⁺ 596.2774. found 596.2774.

Example 354-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl-3′-fluoro-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared according to general method described instep 4 by reaction of4-[3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxy-carbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester with 3-fluor-4-methylphenylboronic acid. LC/MSindicated a purity of 100% as measured by UV 214 nM. HR-ES(+):calculatedfor C₃₅H₄₅NO₆F (M+H)¹⁺ 594.3226. found 594.3225.

Example 364-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared according to general method described instep 4 by reaction of4-[3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxy-carbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester with 3-fluorophenylboronic acid. LC/MS indicated apurity of 100% as measured by UV 214 nM. HR-ES(+):calculated forC₃₄H₄₃NO₆F (M+H)¹⁺ 580.3069. found 580.3065.

Example 374-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl-4′-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared according to general method described instep 4 by reaction of4-[3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxy-carbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester with 4-trifluoromethylphenylboronic acid. LC/MSindicated a purity of 86% as measured by UV 214 nM. LC/MS: calculatedfor C₃₅H₄₃F₃NO₆ (M+H)¹⁺ 630.30. found 630.30.

Example 384-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared according to general method described instep 4 by reaction of4-[3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxy-carbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester with 4-methanesulfonylphenylboronic acid. LC/MSindicated a purity of 85% as measured by UV 214 nM. HR-ES(+):calculatedfor C₃₅H₄₆NO₈S (M+H)¹⁺ 640.2939. found 640.2940.

Example 394-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl-3′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared according to general method described instep 4 by reaction of4-[3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxy-carbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester with 3-methanesulfonylphenylboronic acid. LC/MSindicated a purity of 85% as measured by UV 214 nM. HR-ES(+):calculatedfor C₃₅H₄₆NO₈S (M+H)¹⁺ 640.2939. found 640.2937.

Example 404-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared according to general method described instep 4 by reaction of4-[3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxy-carbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester with 4-pyridineboronic acid. LC/MS indicated a purityof 100% as measured by UV 214 nM. HR-ES(+):calculated for C₃₃H₄₃N₂O₆(M+H)¹⁺ 563.3116, found 563.3113.

Example 414-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-cyanomethyl-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared according to general method described instep 4 by reaction of4-[3-[6-(3-cyanomethyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester with thiophene-3-boronic acid. LC/MS indicated a purityof 100% as measured by UV 214 nM. Calculated for C₃₁H₃₆NO₆S (M+H)¹⁺550.22. found 550.20.

Example 424-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-cyanomethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared according to general method described instep 4 by reaction of4-[3-[6-(3-dyanomethyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester with phenylboronic acid. LC/MS indicated a purity of100% as measured by UV 214 nM. HR-ES(+):calculated for C₃₃H₃₈NO₆ (M+H)¹⁺566.2513. found 566.2513.

Method D Example 434-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1: 5-Bromo-benzene-1,3-diol

To a suspension of 5-bromo-1,3-dimethoxy-benzene (15 g, 67.02 mmol) andsodium iodide (100.5 g, 670.2 mmol) in acetonitrile (577 mL) was addedtrimethylsilyl chloride (42.39 mL, 335.1 mmol) at room temperature.Then, the resulting light yellow suspension was heated to reflux for 48h. Then, it was cooled to room temperature and diluted with water (150mL). The organic compound was extracted into ethyl acetate (2×150 mL)and the combined ethyl acetate extracts were washed with saturatedsodium thiosulfate solution (300 mL) to remove the iodine color and wasalso washed with brine solution (300 mL). Then, the organic layer wasdried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated invacuo. The crude residue was purified by using an ISCO 330 g column,eluting with 5-30% ethyl acetate in hexanes to obtain5-bromo-benzene-1,3-diol (9.24 g, 73%) as a light brown solid:ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd for C₆H₅BrO₂ (M+H)⁺ 189.2341. found 189.2346.

Step 2:4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-hydroxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a solution of4-[3-(6-bromo-hexyl)-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester (4.48 g, 9.5 mmol) and 5-bromo-benzene-1,3-diol (1.79 g,9.47 mmol) in dimethylsulfoxide (30 mL) was added lithium hydride (160mg, 20 mmol) at room temperature. The resulting suspension was stirredfor 48 h and then the reaction mixture was diluted with water (100 mL).The organic compound was extracted into ethyl acetate (3×50 mL) and thecombined organic extracts were washed with water (100 mL) and brinesolution (100 mL). The organic layers were dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate and filtration of the drying agent and concentrationof the solvent under vacuum gave the crude product which was purified byusing an ISCO 120 g column, eluting with 0-30% ethyl acetate in hexanesto afford4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-hydroxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (2.73 g, 74%) as a white solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcdfor C₂₉H₃₉BrO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 601.1771, found 601.1773.

Step 3:4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a mixture of4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-hydroxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (163 mg, 0.28 mmol) and potassium carbonate (117 mg,0.84 mmol) were added dimethylformamide (4 mL), acetone (8 mL), andiodoethane (219 mg, 1.4 mmol) at room temperature. The resultingsuspension was heated to reflux for 2 days. Then, the reaction mixturewas cooled to room temperature and diluted with water (20 mL). Theorganic compound was extracted into ethyl acetate (2×25 mL) and thecombined organic extracts were washed with water (50 mL) and brinesolution (50 mL). The organic layers were dried over anhydrous magnesiumsulfate and filtration of the drying agent and concentration of thesolvent gave the crude product which was purified by using an ISCO 40 gcolumn, eluting with 0-30% ethyl acetate in hexanes to afford4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (166 mg, 98%) as a colorless oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcdfor C₃₁H₄₃BrO₇ (M+H)⁺ 607.2265. found 607.2270.

Step 4:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a mixture of4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (155 mg, 0.255 mmol), 3,4-methylenedioxybenzeneboronicacid (85 mg, 0.51 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (73 mg, 0.1mmol), and cesium carbonate (166 mg, 0.51 mmol) was addeddimethoxyethane (10 mL) at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere.The resulting brown reaction mixture was heated to 96° C. and stirredfor 15 h at which time the TLC analysis of the reaction mixtureindicated the absence of starting material. Then, the reaction mixturewas cooled to room temperature and diluted with water (50 mL) and ethylacetate (50 mL). The two layers were separated and the aqueous layer wasextracted with ethyl acetate (50 mL) and the combined organic extractswere washed with water (50 mL) and brine solution (50 mL). The organiclayer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtration of thedrying agent and removal of the solvent under vacuum gave the coloredresidue which was purified by using an ISCO 40 column, eluting with0-25% ethyl acetate in hexanes to obtain4-[3-[6-(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (165 mg, 99%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-LRMSm/e calcd for C₃₈H₄₈O₉ (M+Na)⁺ 671.3190. found 671.3185.

Step 5:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

To a solution of the4-[3-[6-(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (152 mg, 0.23 mmol) in THF (5 mL) and ethanol (5 mL)was added aqueous 1.0 N sodium hydroxide (5 mL) at room temperature. Theresulting suspension was stirred for 5 h at room temperature at whichtime TLC analysis of the mixture indicated the absence of startingmaterial. Then, the reaction mixture was concentrated and the residuewas diluted with water (20 mL) and extracted with diethyl ether (30 mL)to remove any neutral impurities. The aqueous layer was acidified with1.0 N hydrochloric acid and the precipitated white organic compound wasextracted into ethyl acetate (2×30 mL). The combined ethyl acetateextracts were washed with brine solution (50 mL) and the organic layerswere dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Filtration of the dryingagent and removal of the solvent afforded4-[3-[6-(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (129 mg, 95%) as a off-white waxy solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₄H₄₀O₉ (M+H)⁺ 593.2745. found 593.2744.

Example 444-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1: 3-Bromo-5-ethoxy-phenol

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 2 was used,starting from 5-bromo-benzene-1,3-diol (9.2 g, 48.67 mmol), iodoethane(8.13 g, 51.1 mmol), and lithium hydride (720 mg, 97.34 mmol) to afford3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenol (3.38 g, 32%) as a light yellow oil: ES(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₈H₉BrO₂ (M+Na)⁺ 217. found 217.

Step 2:4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-(6-bromo-hexyl)-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester (8.07 g, 17.13 mmol), 3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenol (3.38 g, 15.57mmol), and potassium carbonate (4.3 g, 31.14 mmol) to obtain4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (7.77 g, 82%) as a colorless oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcdfor C₃₁H₄₃BrO₇ (M+H)⁺ 607.2265. found 607.2270.

Step 3:4-[3-[6-(5-Ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a mixture of4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (305 mg, 0.5 mmol), phenylboronic acid (125 mg, 1.0mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (55mg, 0.075 mmol), and cesium carbonate (331 mg, 1.0 mmol) in a microwavetube was added dimethoxyethane (5.9 mL) under nitrogen atmosphere atroom temperature. The resulting brown reaction mixture was heated to120° C. in a microwave for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was dilutedwith ethyl acetate (50 mL) and the undissolved residue was filtered offand washed with water (50 mL). Then, the two layers of filtrate wereseparated and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (20mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with water (50 mL) andbrine solution (50 mL). The organic layer was dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate and filtration of the drying agent and removal of thesolvent under vacuum gave the colored residue which was purified byusing an ISCO 40 column, eluting with 2-25% ethyl acetate in hexanes toobtain4-[3-[6-(5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (255 mg, 84%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-LRMSm/e calcd for C₃₇H₄₈O₇ (M+Na)⁺ 627.3292. found 627.3292.

Step 4:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (240 mg, 0.4 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(4 mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (210 mg, 96%) as a light brown waxy solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₃H₄₀O₇ (M+Na)⁺ 571.2666. found 571.2665.

Example 454-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-ethoxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[2-(2-Ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-ethoxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 44, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (305 mg, 0.5 mmol), 3-thiophenylboronic acid (131 mg,1.0 mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II)(55 mg, 0.075 mmol), and cesium carbonate (331 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-ethoxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (160 mg, 52%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₃₅H₄₆O₇S (M+Na)⁺ 633.2856. found 633.2860.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-ethoxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-ethoxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (150 mg, 0.25 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(2.5 mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-ethoxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (136 mg, 99%) as a light brown waxy solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₁H₃₈O₇S (M+H)⁺ 555.2411, found 555.2410.

Example 464-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-{6-[3-(2,3-Dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 44, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (305 mg, 0.5 mmol), 1,4-benzodioxane-6-boronic acid(184 mg, 1.0 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (55 mg,0.075 mmol), and cesium carbonate (331 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[3-{6-[3-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (76 mg, 23%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/ecalcd for C₃₉H₅₀O₉ (M+Na)⁺ 685.3347. found 685.3353.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-{6-[3-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (70 mg, 0.1 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide (1mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid (62 mg, 99%) as a light brown waxy solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₅H₄₂O₉ (M+Na)⁺ 629.2721. found 629.2721.

Example 474-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[2-(2-Ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 44, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (305 mg, 0.5 mmol), 3-fluoro-phenylboronic acid (142mg, 1.0 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (55 mg,0.075 mmol), and cesium carbonate (331 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (220 mg, 70%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₃₇H₄₇FO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 645.3198. found 645.3198.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (210 mg, 0.34 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(3.4 mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (190 mg, 99%) as a light brown waxy solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₃H₃₉FO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 589.2572. found 589.2573.

Example 484-[2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-4′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[2-(2-Ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-4′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 44, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (305 mg, 0.5 mmol), 4-fluoro-phenylboronic acid (141mg, 1.0 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (55 mg,0.075 mmol), and cesium carbonate (331 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-4′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (161 mg, 52%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₃₇H₄₇FO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 645.3198. found 645.3196.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-4′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-4′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (150 mg, 0.24 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(2.4 mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-4′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (135 mg, 99%) as a light brown waxy solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₃H₃₉FO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 589.2572. found 589.2573.

Example 494-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-chloro-5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-[6-(4′-Chloro-5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 44, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (305 mg, 0.5 mmol), 4-chloro-phenylboronic acid (165mg, 1.0 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (55 mg,0.075 mmol), and cesium carbonate (331 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[3-[6-(4′-chloro-5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (231 mg, 72%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₃₇H₄₇ClO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 661.2902. found 661.2905.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-chloro-5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(4′-chloro-5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (150 mg, 0.24 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(2.4 mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-chloro-5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (200 mg, 98%) as a light brown waxy solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₃H₃₉ClO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 605.2276. found 605.2278.

Example 504-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′,4′-difluoro-5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[2-(2-Ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′,4′-difluoro-5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 44, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (305 mg, 0.5 mmol), 3,4-difluoro-phenylboronic acid(164 mg, 1.0 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (55 mg,0.075 mmol), and cesium carbonate (331 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′,4′-difluoro-5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (75 mg, 23%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/ecalcd for C₃₇H₄₆F₂O₇ (M+Na)⁺ 663.3104. found 663.3102.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′,4′-difluoro-5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′,4′-difluoro-5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (65 mg, 0.1 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(1.0 mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′,4′-difluoro-5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (58 mg, 98%) as a light brown waxy solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₃H₃₈F₂O₇ (M+Na)⁺ 607.2478. found 607.2481.

Example 514-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[2-(2-Ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 44, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (305 mg, 0.5 mmol), 4-methanesulfonyl-phenylboronicacid (207 mg, 1.0 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (55 mg,0.075 mmol), and cesium carbonate (331 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (57 mg, 17%) as a light brown oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcdfor C₃₈H₅₀O₉S (M+Na)⁺ 705.3068. found 705.3065.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (52 mg, 0.076 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(1.0 mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (44 mg, 91%) as a light brown solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₄H₄₂O₉S (M+Na)⁺ 649.2442. found 649.2442.

Example 524-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-[3-(2-chloro-pyridin-4-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-{6-[3-(2-Chloro-pyridin-4-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 44, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (305 mg, 0.5 mmol), 2-chloro-pyridin-4-ylboronic acid(161 mg, 1.0 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (55 mg,0.075 mmol), and cesium carbonate (331 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[3-{6-[3-(2-chloro-pyridin-4-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (115 mg, 36%) as a light yellow oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/ecalcd for C₃₆H₄₆ClNO₇ (M+H)⁺ 640.3036. found 640.3032.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-[3-(2-chloro-pyridin-4-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-{6-[3-(2-chloro-pyridin-4-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (105 mg, 0.16 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(1.6 mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-[3-(2-chloro-pyridin-4-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (92 mg, 96%) as a light brown solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₂H₃₈ClNO₇ (M+H)⁺ 584.2410. found 584.2412.

Example 534-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-ethoxy-5-pyrimidin-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[2-(2-Ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-ethoxy-5-pyrimidin-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 44, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (305 mg, 0.5 mmol), pyrimidin-5-ylboronic acid (124 mg,1.0 mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II)(55 mg, 0.075 mmol), and cesium carbonate (331 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-ethoxy-5-pyrimidin-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (94 mg, 31%) as a light brown oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcdfor C₃₅H₄₆N₂O₇ (M+H)⁺ 607.3378. found 607.3379.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-ethoxy-5-pyrimidin-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-ethoxy-5-pyrimidin-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (76 mg, 0.13 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(1.3 mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-ethoxy-5-pyrimidin-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (63 mg, 92%) as a light brown solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₁H₃₈N₂O₇ (M+H)⁺ 551.2752. found 551.2750.

Example 544-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-5-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[2-(2-Ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-5-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 44, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (305 mg, 0.5 mmol), 5-indolineboronic acid (170 mg, 1.0mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (55mg, 0.075 mmol), and cesium carbonate (331 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-5-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (25 mg, 8%) as a light yellow oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcdfor C₃₉H₄₉NO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 666.3401. found 666.3399.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-5-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-5-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (24 mg, 0.04 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(0.4 mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-5-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid (20 mg, 91%) as a light brown solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₅H₄₁NO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 610.2775, found 610.2773.

Example 554-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-6-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[2-(2-Ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-6-yl)-phenoxy]hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 44, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (305 mg, 0.5 mmol), 6-indolineboronic acid (170 mg, 1.0mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (55mg, 0.075 mmol), and cesium carbonate (331 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-6-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (125 mg, 39%) as a light yellow oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/ecalcd for C₃₉H₄₉NO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 666.3401. found 666.3396.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-6-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-6-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (111 mg, 0.17 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(1.7 mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-6-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy]-butyricacid (79 mg, 78%) as a light brown solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₅H₄₁NO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 610.2775, found 610.2774.

Example 564-[3-{6-[3-Benzothiazol-5-yl-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-{6-(3-Benzothiazol-5-yl-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl}-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a suspension of palladium(II) acetate (11.32 mg, 0.05 mmol),triphenyphosphine (26.2 mg, 0.1 mmol), and benzothiazol-5-ylpinacolboronate (258 mg, 0.99 mmol) in dioxane (7.5 mL) were added4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (300 mg, 0.49 mmol), potassium phosphate (216 mg, 0.99mmol), and pure water (15 mg, 0.99 mmol) at room temperature. Then, theresulting mixture was heated to 100° C. for 2 h. Then, the reactionmixture was cooled to room temperature and diluted with water (50 mL)and ethyl acetate (50 mL). The two layers were separated and the aqueouslayer was extracted with ethyl acetate (50 mL) and the combined organicextracts were washed with water (50 mL) and brine solution (50 mL). Theorganic layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtrationof the drying agent and removal of the solvent under vacuum gave thecolored residue which was purified by using an ISCO 40 g column, elutingwith 2-25% ethyl acetate in hexanes to obtain4-[3-{6-(3-benzothiazol-5-yl-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl}-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (61 mg, 99%) as a off-white solid: ES(+)-LRMS m/e calcdfor C₃₈H₄₇NO₇S (M+H)⁺ 662.3146. found 662.3144.

Step 2:4-[3-{6-[3-Benzothiazol-5-yl-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-{6-(3-benzothiazol-5-yl-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl}-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (61 mg, 0.17 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(1.0 mL) to afford4-[3-{6-[3-benzothiazol-5-yl-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (9.2 mg, 17%) as a light brown solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₄H₃₉NO₇S (M+H)⁺ 606.2520. found 606.2523.

Example 574-(2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyricacid

Step 1: 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-5-boronic acid

n-BuLi in hexanes (2.5 M solution, 46 mL) was added to anhydrous THF(250 mL) cooled in acetone-dry ice bath under the flow of nitrogen.After 10 min 5-bromo-2,2-difluoro-1,3-benzodioxole (25.0 g) was addeddropwise and the resulting solution was stirred for 30 min. Then, boronisopropoxide (30 mL) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture wasallowed to reach room temperature over a period of 3 h. Then acetic acid(30 mL) was added in one portion and the resulting mixture was stirredat room temperature for 10 min. The reaction mixture was then dilutedwith ethyl acetate and washed with water and brine. The organic extractwas dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reducedpressure. The title compound was obtained by trituration with hexanes asa white solid (14.2 g, 73% yield). HRMS calcd forC₇H_(S)O₄BF_(2 [)2M−H—H₂O]⁻ 385.0324, observed 385.0319.

Step 2:4-[3-{6-[3-(2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl}-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 44, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (577 mg, 0.95 mmol),2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxo-5-ylboronic acid trimer (524 mg, 0.95mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (104mg, 0.14 mmol), and cesium carbonate (625 mg, 1.9 mmol) to obtain4-[3-{6-[3-(2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl}-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (410 mg, 63%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₃₈H₄₆F₂O₉ (M+H)⁺ 685.3183, found 685.3180.

Step 3:4-(2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-{6-[3-(2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl}-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (395 mg, 0.58 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(5.8 mL) to afford4-(2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyricacid (260 mg, 72%) as a light yellow solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₄H₃₈F₂O₉ (M+Na)⁺ 651.2376. found 651.2381.

Example 584-[3-[6-(5-Benzyloxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzyloxy-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-hydroxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (930 mg, 1.6 mmol), benzyl bromide (343 mg, 2.0 mmol),and potassium carbonate (553 mg, 4.0 mmol) to afford4-[3-[6-(3-benzyloxy-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (1.06 g, 98%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₃₆H₄₅BrO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 691.2241. found 691.2238.

Step 2:4-[3-[6-(5-Benzyloxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 4 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-benzyloxy-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (260 mg, 0.39 mmol), phenylboronic acid (95 mg, 0.78mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (73mg, 0.1 mmol), and cesium carbonate (253 mg, 0.78 mmol) to obtain4-[3-[6-(5-benzyloxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (230 mg, 89%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₄₂H₅₀O₇ (M+Na)⁺ 689.3449. found 689.3447.

Step 3:4-[3-[6-(5-Benzyloxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(5-benzyloxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (224 mg, 0.34 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(5 mL) to afford4-[3-[6-(5-benzyloxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (165 mg, 80%) as an amorphous white solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₈H₄₂O₇ (M+Na)⁺ 633.2823. found 633.2820.

Example 594-[3-[6-(5-Benzyloxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-[6-(5-Benzyloxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 4 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-benzyloxy-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (260 mg, 0.39 mmol), 3-fluoro-phenylboronic acid (109mg, 0.78 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (73 mg, 0.1mmol), and cesium carbonate (253 mg, 0.78 mmol) to obtain4-[3-[6-(5-benzyloxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (244 mg, 92%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₄₂H₄₉FO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 707.3354. found 707.3355.

Step 2:4-[3-[6-(5-Benzyloxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(5-benzyloxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (229 mg, 0.34 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(5 mL) to afford4-[3-[6-(5-benzyloxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (163 mg, 78%) as an amorphous white solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₈H₄₁FO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 651.2728. found 651.2729.

Example 604-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-benzyloxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-benzyloxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 4 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-benzyloxy-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (260 mg, 0.39 mmol), 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylboronicacid (127 mg, 0.78 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (73 mg, 0.1mmol), and cesium carbonate (253 mg, 0.78 mmol) to obtain4-[3-[6-(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-benzyloxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (260 mg, 94%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₄₃H₅₀O₉ (M+Na)⁺ 733.3347. found 733.3345.

Step 2:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-benzyloxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-benzyloxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (254 mg, 0.36 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(5 mL) to afford4-[3-[6-(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-benzyloxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (107 mg, 46%) as an amorphous off-white solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcdfor C₃₉H₄₂O₉ (M+Na)⁺ 677.2721. found 677.2718.

Example 614-[3-[6-(3-Benzyloxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzyloxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 4 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-benzyloxy-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (260 mg, 0.39 mmol), 3-thiophenylboronic acid (99 mg,0.78 mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II)(73 mg, 0.1 mmol), and cesium carbonate (253 mg, 0.78 mmol) to obtain4-[3-[6-(3-benzyloxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (165 mg, 67%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₄₀H₄₈O₇S (M+Na)⁺ 695.3013. found 695.3008.

Step 2:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzyloxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-benzyloxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (160 mg, 0.24 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(5 mL) to afford4-[3-[6-(3-benzyloxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (129 mg, 88%) as a light brown waxy solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₆H₄₀O₇S (M+Na)⁺ 639.2387. found 639.2386.

Example 624-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-cyclopentylmethoxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-[6-(3-Bromo-5-cyclopentylmethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-hydroxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (600 mg, 1.03 mmol), iodomethylcyclopentane (260 mg,1.24 mmol), and potassium carbonate (356 mg, 2.57 mmol) to afford4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-cyclopentylmethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (487 g, 73%) as a colorless viscous oil: EI(+)-LRMS m/ecalcd for C₃₅H₄₉BrO₇ (M+H)⁺ 663.45. found 663.5.

Step 2:4-[3-[6-(3-Cyclopentylmethoxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 4 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-cyclopentylmethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (136 mg, 0.2 mmol), 3-thiophenylboronic acid (53 mg,0.41 mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II)(73 mg, 0.1 mmol), and cesium carbonate (134 mg, 0.41 mmol) to obtain4-[3-[6-(3-cyclopentylmethoxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (129 mg, 95%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₃₉H₅₂O₇S (M+Na)⁺ 687.3326. found 687.3328.

Step 3:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-cyclopentylmethoxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-cyclopentylmethoxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (117 mg, 0.17 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(5 mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-cyclopentylmethoxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (104 mg, 98%) as a off-white waxy solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₅H₄₄O₇S (M+H)⁺ 609.2881. found 609.2881.

Example 634-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-cyclopentylmethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-[6-(5-Cyclopentylmethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 4 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-bromo-5-cyclopentylmethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (152 mg, 0.23 mmol), 3-fluorophenylboronic acid (65 mg,0.46 mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II)(73 mg, 0.1 mmol), and cesium carbonate (150 mg, 0.46 mmol) to obtain4-[3-[6-(5-cyclopentylmethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (114 mg, 74%) as a colorless viscous oil: ES(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₄₁H₅₃FO₇ (M+H)⁺ 677.3848. found 677.3850.

Step 2:4-[2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-cyclopentylmethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(5-cyclopentylmethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (104 mg, 0.15 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(5 mL) to afford4-[2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-cyclopentylmethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy]-butyricacid (92 mg, 97%) as a off-white waxy solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₇H₄₅FO₇ (M+H)⁺ 621.3222. found 621.3222.

Method E Example 644-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1: 1-(3-Bromo-5-iodo-phenyl)-ethanone

To a solution of 3-bromo-5-iodobenzoic acid (4.9 g, 15.0 mmol) indichloromethane (50 mL) were added dimethylformamide (250 uL) and oxalylchloride (2.54 mL, 30 mmol) at 0° C. Then, the reaction mixture waswarmed to room temperature in 1 h and was stirred for 15 h. Then, thesolvent was removed under vacuum and dried under high vacuum to obtainthe corresponding benzoyl chloride. In another 3-necked RB flask,lithium chloride (1.69 g, 40 mmol, predried at 130° C. under high vacuumfor 2 h) and copper cyanide (1.79 g, 20 mmol) was charged andtetrahydrofuran (40 mL) was added at room temperature and it was stirredfor 10 min to obtain a clear solution. Then, the reaction mixture wascooled to −70° C. and slowly treated with a 3M solution ofmethylmagnesium chloride in tetrahydrofuran (6.66 mL, 20 mmol). Afteraddition, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to −30° C. where itwas stirred for 5 min. The resulting clear reaction mixture was againcooled back to −70° C. and then slowly treated with a solution of theabove prepared substituted benzoyl chloride (15 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran(40 mL). After addition, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to−20° C. and stirred for 15 h. The reaction mixture was then poured intoa solution consisting of a saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution(100 mL) and ammonium hydroxide (20 mL) and the organic compound wasextracted into ethyl acetate (2×100 mL) and the combined ethyl acetateextracts were washed with brine solution (300 mL). Then, the organiclayer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, andconcentrated in vacuo. The crude residue was purified by using an ISCO120 g column, eluting with 0-20% ethyl acetate in hexanes to obtain1-(3-bromo-5-iodo-phenyl)-ethanone (3.15 g, 65%) as a white solid:ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd for C₈H₆BrIO (M+)⁺ 323.8646. found 323.8642.

Step 2: 1-(3-Bromo-5-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethanone

To a mixture of 1-(3-bromo-5-iodo-phenyl)-ethanone (2.28 g, 7.0 mmol),sodium hydroxide (1.4 g, 35.1 mmol), and Cu₂O (143 mg, 1.0 mmol) wereadded pyridine (20 mL) and water (40 mL) at room temperature. Theresulting suspension was heated to 110° C. and stirred for 24 h. Thenthe reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and diluted with 1Nhydrochloric acid (200 mL). Then, the organic compound was extractedinto ethyl acetate (3×100 mL) and the combined organic extracts werewashed with 1N hydrochloric acid (200 mL) and brine solution (200 mL).The organic layers were dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate andfiltration of the drying agent and concentration of the solvent undervacuum gave the crude dark brown solid which was tried to dissolve inacetonitrile (50 mL) at reflux, but it did not dissolve completely.Then, it was diluted with ethyl acetate (˜10 mL) and hexanes (˜15 mL).The dark suspension was stored in the refrigerator. Only few solids wereformed and they were coolected by filtration and washed withacetonitrile. Then, the mother liquor was removed under vacuum and thedark brown solids were now dissolved in acetonitrile (50 mL) at refluxand it was treated with charcoal to remove some color. It was thenfiltered and the solvent was removed under vacuum to afford reasonablypure 1-(3-bromo-5-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethanone (965 mg, 64%) as a brownsolid: ES(−)-HRMS m/e calcd for C₈H₇BrO₂ (M−H)⁻ 212.9556. found212.9556.

Step 3:4-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 3 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-bromo-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester (2.36 g, 5.0 mmol), 1-(3-bromo-5-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethanone(965 mg, 4.48 mmol), and potassium carbonate (1.38 g, 10 mmol) to afford4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (2.15 g, 79%) as a colorless viscous oil: EI(+)-HRMSm/e calcd for C₃₁H₄₁BrO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 627.1928. found 627.1925.

Step 4:4-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5-benzo[1,3]-dioxol-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 4 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (303 mg, 0.5 mmol), 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylboronicacid (166 mg, 1.0 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (73 mg, 0.1mmol), and cesium carbonate (326 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-benzo[1,3]-dioxol-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (235 mg, 73%) as a colorless oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcdfor C₃₈H₄₆O₉ (M+Na)⁺ 669.3034. found 669.3031.

Step 5:4-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-benzo[1,3]-dioxol-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (230 mg, 0.36 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(8 mL) to afford4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (192 mg, 92%) as a white solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd for C₃₄H₃₈O₉(M+Na)⁺ 613.2408. found 613.2407.

Example 654-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]-dioxin-6-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 4 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (303 mg, 0.5 mmol), 1,4-benzodioxane-6-boronic acid(180 mg, 1.0 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (73 mg, 0.1mmol), and cesium carbonate (326 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]-dioxin-6-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (330 mg, 99%) as a colorless oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcdfor C₃₉H₄₈O₉ (M+Na)⁺ 683.3190. found 683.3194.

Step 2:4-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]-dioxin-6-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (330 mg, 0.5 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(10 mL) to afford4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (200 mg, 61%) as a off-white solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₅H₄₀O₉ (M+Na)⁺ 627.2564. found 627.2560.

Example 664-[3-[6-(5-Acetyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-[6-(5-Acetyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 4 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (303 mg, 0.5 mmol), phenylboronic acid (122 mg, 1.0mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (73mg, 0.1 mmol), and cesium carbonate (326 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[3-[6-(5-acetyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (288 mg, 96%) as a colorless oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcdfor C₃₇H₄₆O₇ (M+Na)⁺ 625.3136. found 625.3133.

Step 2:4-[3-[6-(5-Acetyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 4, step 5 was used, startingfrom4-[3-[6-(5-acetyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (282 mg, 0.47 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(10 mL) to afford4-[3-[6-(5-acetyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (168 mg, 66%) as a white solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd for C₃₃H₃₈O₇(M+Na)⁺ 569.2510. found 569.2508.

Example 674-[3-[6-(5-Acetyl-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-[6-(5-Acetyl-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 4 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (303 mg, 0.5 mmol), 3-fluoro-phenylboronic acid (140mg, 1.0 mmol),[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (73 mg, 0.1mmol), and cesium carbonate (326 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[3-[6-(5-acetyl-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (288 mg, 93%) as a colorless oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcdfor C₃₇H₄₅FO₇ (M+Na)⁺ 643.3041. found 643.3039.

Step 2:4-[3-[6-(5-Acetyl-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(5-acetyl-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (275 mg, 0.44 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(10 mL) to afford4-[3-[6-(5-acetyl-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (165 mg, 66%) as a white solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd for C₃₃H₃₇FO₇(M+Na)⁺ 587.2415. found 587.2415.

Example 684-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:4-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 4 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-bromo-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (303 mg, 0.5 mmol), 3-thiopheneboronic acid (128 mg,1.0 mmol), [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II)(73 mg, 0.1 mmol), and cesium carbonate (326 mg, 1.0 mmol) to obtain4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (285 mg, 94%) as a light brown oil: ES(+)-HRMS m/ecalcd for C₃₅H₄₄O₇S (M+Na)⁺ 631.2700. found 631.2704.

Step 2:4-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

A similar procedure as described in Example 43, step 5 was used,starting from4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (272 mg, 0.44 mmol) and 1.0 N aqueous sodium hydroxide(10 mL) to afford4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid (163 mg, 66%) as a light brown solid: ES(+)-HRMS m/e calcd forC₃₁H₃₆O₇S (M+Na)⁺ 575.2074. found 575.2074.

Example 694-[3-{6-[3-Acetyl-5-(2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1: Trifluoro-methanesulfonic acid3-acetyl-5-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-phenyl ester

3,5-Dihydroxyacetophenone (5.0 g) was suspended in 100 mL ofdichloromethane and then pyridine (10.6 mL) was added. The resultingclear solution was cooled to 0° C. and 11.6 mL of triflic anhydride wereadded dropwise. After addition was completed, the cooling bath wasremoved and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hand then quenched with 1 N hydrochloric acid. The organic solution wasseparated and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution andbrine and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was removedunder reduced pressure and the title compound was obtained bytrituration with diethyl ether as white solid (9.9 g, 72% yield). HRMScalcd for C₁₀H₆O₇S₂F₆M⁺415.9459, observed 415.9459

Step 2: Trifluoro-methanesulfonic acid 3-acetyl-5-hydroxy-phenyl ester

Trifluoro-methanesulfonic acid3-acetyl-5-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-phenyl ester (9.9 g) wasdissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (80 mL), followed by addition of cesiumcarbonate (11.6 g). The resulting suspension was stirred at 80° C. for 3h and then quenched with saturated solution of ammonium chloride. Thesolution was then extracted with diethyl ether and combined etherateextracts were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate,and filtered through a silica pad. The filtrate was concentrated underreduced pressure and purified on a silica gel column using ethyl acetateand hexanes to afford 3.5 g of the title compound (52% yield). HRMScalcd for C₁₉H₇O₅S₁F₃ [M+H]⁺ 285.0039, observed 285.0039.

Step 3:4-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a solution of trifluoro-methanesulfonic acid3-acetyl-5-hydroxy-phenyl ester (1.0 g) in a mixture of acetone and DMF(2:1, 80 mL) were added potassium carbonate (2.4 g) and4-[3-(6-bromo-hexyl)-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester (1.8 g). The resulting mixture was stirred at 75° C. for 3h. Then the insoluble material was filtered out and the filtrate wasdiluted with ethyl acetate and washed with water and brine. The organicextract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, concentrated andpurified on a silica gel column using ethyl acetate and hexanes to yield1.7 g of the title compound (72% yield). HRMS calcd for C₃₂H₄₁O₁₀S₁F₃[M+H]⁺ 675.2446, observed 675.2440.

Step 4:4-[3-{6-[3-Acetyl-5-(2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-phenoxy]hexyl}-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a solution of4-[3-[6-(3-acetyl-5-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (500 mg) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (5 mL) were added2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-5-boronic acid (273 mg), 2 M aq. sodiumcarbonate solution (1.0 mL) and Pd(PPh₃)₄ (8 mg) and the resultingmixture was stirred at 90° C. for 3 h. Then the reaction mixture wasdiluted with ethyl acetate, filtered through Celite and washed withwater and brine. The organic extract was dried over anhydrous sodiumsulfate, concentrated and purified on a silica gel column using ethylacetate and hexanes to yield 300 mg of the title compound (59% yield).HRMS calcd for C₃₈H₄₄O₉F₂ [M+Na]⁺ 705.2845, observed 705.2843.

Step 5:4-[3-{6-[3-Acetyl-5-(2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

To a solution of4-[3-{6-[3-acetyl-5-(2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (300 mg) in ethanol (5 mL) was added a solution of NaOH(176 mg) in water (2 mL) and the resulting mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 5 h. Then the reaction mixture was diluted with water,acidified with 3 N HCl and extracted into ethyl acetate. The organicextract was washed with brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate,concentrated under reduced pressure and purified on a reverse-phase HPLCto yield 137 mg of the title compound (50% yield). HRMS calcd forC₃₄H₃₆O₉F₂ [M+Na]⁺ 649.2219, observed 649.2222.

Example 704-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-isobutyryl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1: 3-Bromo-5-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-benzonitrile

p-Methoxybenzyl alcohol (2.6 mL) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (50 mL)and NaH (808 mg, 60% dispersion in oil) was added in several portions.After gas evolution ceased, 3,5-dibromobenzonitrile (5.0 g) was addedand the reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. After 2 h additionalamount of NaH (147 mg) was added and heating was continued for 6 h. Thereaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with waterand brine. The organic extract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate,concentrated and purified on a silica gel column using ethyl acetate andhexanes to yield 3.1 g of the title compound (51% yield). HRMS calcd forC₁₅H₁₂O₂BrN M⁺ 371.0051, observed 371.0048.

Step 2: 3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-benzonitrile

To a solution of 3-bromo-5-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-benzonitrile (1.1 g) in1,2-dimethoxyethane (10 mL) were added 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylboronicacid (860 mg), 2 M aq. sodium carbonate solution (3.5 mL) and Pd(PPh₃)₄(40 mg) and the resulting mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 4 h. Thenthe reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, filtered throughCelite and washed with water and brine. The organic extract was driedover anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered through a silica pad,concentrated and triturated with diethyl ether to yield 1.0 g of thetitle compound (89% yield). HRMS calcd for C₂₂H₁₇O₄N M⁺ 359.1158,observed 359.1158.

Step 3:1-[3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-2-methyl-propan-1-one

To a solution of3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-benzonitrile (500 mg) inanhydrous THF (10 mL) were added a solution of isopropylmagnesiumchloride (2.1 mL of 2 M solution in diethyl ether) and catalytic amountof cuprous bromide (4 mg). The resulting reaction mixture was refluxedfor 2 h. After it was cooled down, 10% sulfuric acid (5 mL) was addedand stirring was continued for 30 min at room temperature. Then thereaction mixture was diluted with diethyl ether, washed with water andbrine. The organic extract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate,concentrated and purified on a silica gel column using ethyl acetate andhexanes to yield 358 mg of the title compound (64% yield). HRMS calcdfor C₂₅H₂₄O₅ [M+H]⁺ 405.1697, observed 405.1698.

Step 4:1-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-hydroxy-phenyl)-2-methyl-propan-1-one

1-[3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-2-methyl-propan-1-one(355 mg) was dissolved in glacial acetic acid (3 mL) and heated at 100°C. overnight. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and theresidue was purified on a silica gel column using ethyl acetate andhexanes to yield 205 mg of orange solid, which was dissolved in smallamount of ethyl acetate and triturated with hexanes to yield 112 mg ofthe title compound (45% yield). HRMS calcd for C₁₇H₁₆O₄ [M+H]⁺ 281.1122,observed 281.1121.

Step 5:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-isobutyryl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

To a solution of1-(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-hydroxy-phenyl)-2-methyl-propan-1-one (109mg) in a mixture of acetone and DMF (2:1, 3 mL) were added cesiumcarbonate (624 mg) and4-[3-(6-bromo-hexyl)-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acidethyl ester (190 mg). The resulting mixture was stirred at 75° C.overnight. Then the insoluble material was filtered out and the filtratewas diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with water and brine. Theorganic extract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, concentratedand purified on a silica gel column using ethyl acetate and hexanes toyield 194 mg of the title compound (75% yield). HRMS calcd for C₄₀H₅₀O₉[M+Na]⁺ 697.3347, observed 697.3344.

Step 6:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-isobutyryl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

To a solution of4-[3-[6-(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-isobutyryl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester (191 mg) in ethanol (2 mL) was added 10 M NaOH (566 μL)and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 h. Thenthe reaction mixture was diluted with water, acidified with 3 N HCl andextracted into ethyl acetate. The organic extract was washed with brine,dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, concentrated under reduced pressureand purified on a reverse-phase HPLC to yield 50 mg of the titlecompound (29% yield). HRMS calcd for C₃₆H₄₂O₉ [M+Na]⁺ 641.2721, observed641.2720.

Example 714-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-propionyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:1-[3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-propan-1-one

To a solution of3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-benzonitrile (250 mg) inanhydrous THF (3 mL) were added a solution of ethylmagnesium chloride(517 μL of 2 M solution in diethyl ether) and catalytic amount ofcuprous bromide (2 mg). The resulting reaction mixture was refluxed for1 h and then additional amount of ethylmagnesium chloride (517 μL of 2 Msolution in diethyl ether) was added and heating was continued for 30min. After it was cooled down, 10% sulfuric acid (1.5 mL) was added andstirring was continued for 30 min at room temperature. Then the reactionmixture was diluted with diethyl ether, washed with water and brine. Theorganic extract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, concentratedand purified on a silica gel column using ethyl acetate and hexanes toyield 136 mg of the title compound (50% yield). HRMS calcd for C₂₄H₂₂O₅[M+H]⁺ 391.1540, observed 391.1541.

Step 2: 1-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-hydroxy-phenyl)-propan-1-one

1-[3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-propan-1-one(135 mg) was dissolved in glacial acetic acid (2 mL) and heated at 100°C. for 2 days. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and theresidue was purified on a silica gel column using ethyl acetate andhexanes to yield 28.5 mg of the title compound (30% yield). HRMS calcdfor C₁₆H₁₄O₄ [M+H]⁺ 271.0965, observed 271.0964.

Step 3:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-propionyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

The title compound was prepared by the same method described in Example70, Step 5. Starting with 28.5 mg of1-(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-hydroxy-phenyl)-propan-1-one, 44 mg (66%yield) of the title compound were obtained. HRMS calcd for C₃₉H₄₈O₉[M+Na]⁺ 683.3190, observed 683.3191.

Step 4:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-propionyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by the same method described in Example70, Step 6. Starting with 41 mg of4-[3-[6-(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-propionyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester, 34 mg (94% yield) of the title compound were obtained.HRMS calcd for C₃₅H₄₀O₉ [M+Na]⁺ 627.2564, observed 627.2566.

Example 724-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1:[3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-cyclopropyl-methanone

To a solution of3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-benzonitrile (250 mg) inanhydrous THF (3 mL) were added a solution of cyclopropylmagnesiumchloride (4.1 mL of 0.5 M solution in THF) and catalytic amount ofcuprous bromide (2 mg). The resulting reaction mixture was refluxed for1.5 h. After it was cooled down, 10% sulfuric acid (1.5 mL) was addedand stirring was continued for 30 min at room temperature. Then thereaction mixture was diluted with diethyl ether, washed with water andbrine. The organic extract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate,concentrated and purified on a silica gel column using ethyl acetate andhexanes to yield 253 mg of the title compound (91% yield). HRMS calcdfor C₂₅H₂₂O₅ [M+H]⁺ 403.1540, observed 403.1537.

Step 2: (3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-hydroxy-phenyl)-cyclopropyl-methanone

[3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-(4-methoxy-benzyloxy)-phenyl]-cyclopropyl-methanone(250 mg) was dissolved in glacial acetic acid (3 mL) and heated at 100°C. overnight. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and theresidue was purified on a silica gel column using ethyl acetate andhexanes to yield 138 mg of the title compound (79% yield). HRMS calcdfor C₁₇H₁₄O₄ [M+H]⁺ 283.0965, observed 283.0964.

Step 3:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

The title compound was prepared by the same method described in Example70, Step 5. Starting with 35 mg of(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-hydroxy-phenyl)-cyclopropyl-methanone, 74 mg(92% yield) of the title compound were obtained. HRMS calcd for C₄₀H₄₈O₉[M+Na]⁺ 695.3190, observed 695.3191.

Step 4:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by the same method described in Example70, Step 6. Starting with 70 mg of4-[3-[6-(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester, 48 mg (71% yield) of the title compound were obtained.HRMS calcd for C₃₆H₄₀O₉ [M+H]⁺ 617.2745, observed 617.2745.

Example 734-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-cyclopentanecarbonyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

Step 1: Cyclopentyl-(3,5-dimethoxy-phenyl)-methanone

To a solution of 3,5-dimethoxybenzonitrile (5.0 g) in anhydrous THF (60mL) were added a solution of cyclopentylmagnesium chloride (20 mL of 2 Msolution in diethyl ether) and cuprous bromide (88 mg). The resultingreaction mixture was refluxed for 1 h. Then water (10 mL) and 10%sulfuric acid (20 mL) were added and the resulting mixture was stirredat room temperature overnight. Then the reaction mixture was dilutedwith diethyl ether and washed with water and brine. The organic extractwas dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, concentrated and purified on asilica gel column using ethyl acetate and hexanes to yield 5.9 of thetitle compound (82% yield). HRMS calcd for C₁₄H₁₈O₃ [M+H]⁺ 253.1329,observed 253.1328.

Step 2: Cyclopentyl-(3,5-dihydroxy-phenyl)-methanone

To a solution of cyclopentyl-(3,5-dimethoxy-phenyl)-methanone (234 mg)in anhydrous dichloromethane (5 mL) cooled in dry ice/acetone bath wasadded dropwise a solution of boron tribromide (4 mL of 1 M solution indichloromethane). After the addition was completed, the cooling bath wasremoved and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperatureovernight. Unreacted boron tribromide was quenched with methanol. Thenthe reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed withwater and brine. The organic extract was dried over anhydrous sodiumsulfate, concentrated and purified on a silica gel column using ethylacetate and hexanes to yield 200 mg of the title compound (97% yield).Note: the title compound decomposes on air. HRMS calcd for C₁₂H₁₄O₃[M+H]⁺ 207.1016, observed 207.1016.

Step 3: Trifluoro-methanesulfonic acid3-cyclopentanecarbonyl-5-trifluoro methanesulfonyloxy-phenyl ester

Cyclopentyl-(3,5-dihydroxy-phenyl)-methanone (1.9 g) was suspended in 40mL of dichloromethane and then pyridine (3.0 mL) was added. Theresulting clear solution was cooled to 0° C. and 3.2 mL of triflicanhydride were added dropwise. After addition was completed, the coolingbath was removed and the reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 1 h and then quenched with 1 N hydrochloric acid. Theorganic solution was separated and washed with saturated sodiumbicarbonate solution and brine and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate.The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue waspurified on a silica gel column using ethyl acetate and hexanes to yield1.5 g of the title compound (34% yield). HRMS calcd for C₁₄H₁₂O₇S₂F₆[M−H]⁻ 468.9856, observed 468.9854.

Step 4: Trifluoro-methanesulfonic acid3-cyclopentanecarbonyl-5-hydroxy-phenyl ester

Trifluoro-methanesulfonic acid3-cyclopentanecarbonyl-5-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy-phenyl ester (1.5g) was dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (30 mL), followed by addition ofcesium carbonate (1.5 g). The resulting suspension was stirred at 80° C.for 3 h and then quenched with saturated solution of ammonium chloride.The solution was then extracted with diethyl ether and combined etherateextracts were washed with brine and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate.The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure and purified on asilica gel column using ethyl acetate and hexanes to yield 300 mg of thetitle compound (28% yield). HRMS calcd for C₁₃H₁₃O₅S₁F₃ [M+H]⁺ 339.0509,observed 339.0509.

Step 5: (3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-hydroxy-phenyl)-cyclopentyl-methanone

To a solution of trifluoro-methanesulfonic acid3-cyclopentanecarbonyl-5-hydroxy-phenyl ester (300 mg) in1,2-dimethoxyethane (4 mL) were added 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylboronicacid (295 mg), 2 M aq. sodium carbonate solution (0.9 mL) and Pd(PPh₃)₄(10 mg) and the resulting mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 3 h. Thenthe reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, filtered throughCelite and washed with water and brine. The organic extract was driedover anhydrous sodium sulfate, concentrated and purified on a silica gelcolumn using ethyl acetate and hexanes to yield 100 mg of the titlecompound (36% yield). HRMS calcd for C₁₉H₁₈O₄ [M+H]⁺ 311.1278, observed311.1277.

Step 6:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-cyclopentanecarbonyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester

The title compound was prepared by the same method described in Example70, Step 5. Starting with 94 mg of(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-hydroxy-phenyl)-cyclopentyl-methanone, 98 mg(47% yield) of the title compound were obtained. HRMS calcd for C₄₂H₅₂O₉[M+Na]⁺ 723.3503, observed 723.3509.

Step 7:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-cyclopentanecarbonyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid

The title compound was prepared by the same method desciribed in Example70, Step 6. Starting with 97 mg of4-[3-[6-(3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-cyclopentanecarbonyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid ethyl ester, 3.9 mg (4% yield) of the title compound were obtained.HRMS calcd for C₃₈H₄₄O₉ [M+H]⁺ 645.3058, observed 645.3056.

Example 74 Assay of Compounds for Inhibition of LTB₄ Activity

Ca²⁺Flux Assay for LTB4 Antagonist Assay

Cell Culture Conditions:

Human leukemia HL-60 cells endogenously expressing BLT1 and BLT2receptors were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 20% fetalbovine serum, 2 mM glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 ug/mlstreptomycin.

Seventy two hours prior to experiment cells are counted using ViaCountreagent, centrifuged and resuspended at 2.0×10⁵ cells/ml density withthe complete growth media containing 1 μM Retinoic Acid (Sigma).

Dye Loading and Assay:

On a day of the experiment loading buffer (Calcium-3 Assay Kit,Molecular Devices) was prepared by dissolving the contents of one vial(Express Kit) into 500 ml Hank's Balanced Salt Solution containing 20 mMHEPES and 5 mM probenecid. Equal volume of the loading buffer was mixedwith the replacement buffer (Hank's Balanced Salt Solution containing 20mM HEPES, 0.05% BSA and 5 mM probenecid). Retinoic Acid induced HL-60cells were counted using ViaCount reagent, centrifuged and resuspendedat 2.0×10⁶ cells/ml density with the loading buffer/replacement buffer,dispensed into 384 well black/clear microplates (Falcon) (25 μl/well)and placed in a 37° C./5% CO₂ incubator for 1 hour.

During the incubation, test compounds were prepared at 6× the desiredconcentration in HBSS/20 mM HEPES/0.05% BSA as well as LTB4 (Biomol) wasprepared at 2.2× concentration in HBSS/20 mM HEPES/0.5% BSA buffer.

After the incubation, both the cell and compound plates were brought tothe FLIPR and 5 μl of the diluted compounds were transferred to the cellplates by the FLIPR. Plates were then incubated for 30 min at roomtemperature. After the ½ hour incubation, plates were returned to theFLIPR and 25 μl of 2.2×LTB4 was added to the cell plates. During theassay, fluorescence readings were taken simultaneously from all 384wells of the cell plate every 1.5 seconds. Five readings were taken toestablish a stable baseline, then 25 μl (LTB4) of sample was rapidly andsimultaneously added to each well of the cell plate. The fluorescencewas continuously monitored before, during and after sample addition fora total elapsed time of 100 seconds. Responses (increase in peakfluorescence) in each well following agonist addition was determined.The initial fluorescence reading from each well, prior to ligandstimulation, was used a zero baseline value for the data from that well.The responses are expressed as % inhibition of the neutral control(neural control: wells that received buffer plus DMSO but no testcompound).

Assay results LTB4 antagonism (HL-60 FLIPR) Example # Compound name (nM)1 4-[3-[6-(3- 3.1 Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5- yl-5-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2- (2-carboxy-ethyl)- phenoxy]-butyric acid 24-{2-(2-Carboxy- 24.68 ethyl)-3-[6-(5- hydroxymethyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 3 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 62.46 ethyl)-3-[6-(3-hydroxymethyl-5- thiophen-3-yl- phenoxy)-hexyl]- phenoxy}-butyric acid 44-{2-(2-Carboxy- 29.63 ethyl)-3-[6-(4′- fluoro-5- hydroxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 5 4-{2-(2-Carboxy-43.08 ethyl)-3-[6-(4′- chloro-5- hydroxymethyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 6 4-(2-(2-Carboxy- 7.39ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,3- dihydro- benzo[1,4]dioxin-6- yl)-5- hydroxymethyl-phenoxy]-hexyl}- phenoxy)-butyric acid 7 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 83.21ethyl)-3-[6-(5- hydroxymethyl-4′- methanesulfonyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 8 4-[3-[6-(3- 0.14 Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5- methoxymethyl- phenoxy)-hexyl]-2- (2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acid 9 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 1.93 ethyl)-3-[6-(5-methoxymethyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 104-{2-(2-Carboxy- 2.52 ethyl)-3-[6-(4′- fluoro-5- methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 11 4-{2-(2-Carboxy-1.37 ethyl)-3-[6-(4′- chloro-5- methoxymethyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 12 4-(2-(2-Carboxy- 1.38ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,3- dihydro- benzo[1,4]dioxin-6- yl)-5- methoxymethyl-phenoxy]-hexyl}- phenoxy)-butyric acid 13 4-(2-(2-Carboxy- 140.16ethyl)-3-{6-[3- methoxymethyl-5- (4-methyl-thiophen- 3 -yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)- butyric acid 14 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 1.47 ethyl)-3-[6-(3′-fluoro-5- methoxymethyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyricacid 15 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 5.98 ethyl)-3-[6-(2′- fluoro-5- methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 16 4-{2-(2-Carboxy-14.85 ethyl)-3-[6-(3′,5′- difluoro-5- methoxymethyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 17 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 1.62 ethyl)-3-[6-(5-methoxymethyl-4′- trifluoromethyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyric acid 18 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 13.38 ethyl)-3-[6-(3′- chloro-5-methoxymethyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 194-{2-(2-Carboxy- 9.44 ethyl)-3-[6-(3′- methoxy-5- methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 20 4-{2-(2-Carboxy-15.14 ethyl)-3-[6-(5- methoxymethyl-4′- trifluoromethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 21 4-{2-(2-Carboxy-2.66 ethyl)-3-[6-(3′,4′- difluoro-5- methoxymethyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 22 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 339.3 ethyl)-3-[6-(3-methoxymethyl-5- pyrimidin-5-yl- phenoxy)-hexyl]- phenoxy}-butyric acid23 4-(2-(2-Carboxy- 30.19 ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(1H- indol-5-yl)-5-methoxymethyl- phenoxy]-hexyl}- phenoxy)-butyric acid 244-{2-(2-Carboxy- 6.83 ethyl)-3-[6-(4′- methanesulfonyl-5- methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 25 4-[3-[6-(3- 1.06Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5- yl-5-ethoxymethyl- phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)- phenoxy]-butyric acid 26 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 11.88ethyl)-3-[6-(5- ethoxymethyl-4′- fluoro-biphenyl-3- yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyric acid 27 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 6.24 ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxymethyl-4′- trifluoromethyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyric acid 28 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 6.51 ethyl)-3-[6-(4′- chloro-5-ethoxymethyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 294-{2-(2-Carboxy- 15.96 ethyl)-3-[6-(5- ethoxymethyl-4′- methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 30 4-[3-[6-(3- 0.1Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5- yl-5- dimethylaminomethyl- phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)- phenoxy]-butyric acid 31 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 0.11ethyl)-3-[6-(3- dimethylaminomethyl- 5-thiophen-3-yl- phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyric acid 32 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 0.1 ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl- biphenyl-3- yloxy)-hexyl]- phenoxy}-butyric acid 334-{2-(2-Carboxy- 0.11 ethyl)-3-[6-(5- dimethylaminomethyl- 4′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 34 4-{2-(2-Carboxy-0.24 ethyl)-3-[6-(4′- chloro-5- dimethylaminomethyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]- phenoxy}-butyric acid 35 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 0.16ethyl)-3-[6-(5- dimethylaminomethyl- 3′-fluoro-4′- methyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]- phenoxy}-butyric acid 36 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 0.14ethyl)-3-[6-(5- dimethylaminomethyl- 3′-fluoro- biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 37 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 0.37 ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl- 4′- trifluoromethyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 38 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 2.22 ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl- 4′- methanesulfonyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 39 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 70.81 ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl- 3′- methanesulfonyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 40 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 0.42 ethyl)-3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl- 5-pyridin-4-yl- phenoxy)-hexyl]- phenoxy}-butyricacid 41 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 15.19 ethyl)-3-[6-(3- cyanomethyl-5-thiophen-3-yl- phenoxy)-hexyl]- phenoxy}-butyric acid 424-{2-(2-Carboxy- 22.98 ethyl)-3-[6-(5- cyanomethyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 43 4-[3-[6-(3- 0.22 Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-ethoxy- phenoxy)-hexyl]-2- (2-carboxy-ethyl)- phenoxy]-butyric acid44 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 1.26 ethyl)-3-[6-(5- ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]- phenoxy}-butyric acid 45 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 0.4ethyl)-3-[6-(3- ethoxy-5-thiophen- 3-yl-phenoxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyric acid 46 4-(2-(2-Carboxy- 1.11 ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,3- dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6- yl)-5-ethoxy- phenoxy]-hexyl}- phenoxy)-butyric acid47 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 2.32 ethyl)-3-[6-(5- ethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 48 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 5.2ethyl)-3-[6-(5- ethoxy-4′-fluoro- biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyric acid 49 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 6.05 ethyl)-3-[6-(4′- chloro-5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 50 4-{2-(2-Carboxy-8.27 ethyl)-3-[6-(5- ethoxy-3′,4′- difluoro-biphenyl-3- yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyric acid 51 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 2.1 ethyl)-3-[6-(5- ethoxy-4′-methanesulfonyl- biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 524-(2-(2-Carboxy- 6.94 ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2- chloro-pyridin-4-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]- hexyl}-phenoxy)- butyric acid 53 4-{2-(2-Carboxy-79.31 ethyl)-3-[6-(3- ethoxy-5-pyrimidin- 5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}- butyric acid 54 4-(2-(2-Carboxy- 34.16 ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol- 5-yl)-phenoxy]- hexyl}-phenoxy)- butyric acid 554-(2-(2-Carboxy- 6.69 ethyl)-3-{6-[3- ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-6-yl)-phenoxy]- hexyl}-phenoxy)- butyric acid 56 4-[3-[6-(3- 0.32Benzothiazol-5-yl-5- ethoxy-phenoxy)- hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]- butyric acid 57 4-(2-(2-Carboxy- 1.2ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,2- difluoro- benzo[1,3]dioxol-5- yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}- phenoxy)-butyric acid 58 4-[3-[6-(5- 74.58Benzyloxy-biphenyl- 3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2- (2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acid 59 4-[3-[6-(5- 131.84 Benzyloxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy- ethyl)-phenoxy]- butyric acid 604-[3-[6-(3- 4.59 Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5- yl-5-benzyloxy- phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)- phenoxy]-butyric acid 61 4-[3-[6-(3- 77.67Benzyloxy-5- thiophen-3-yl- phenoxy)-hexyl]-2- (2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acid 62 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 7.98 ethyl)-3-[6-(3-cyclopentylmethoxy- 5-thiophen-3-yl- phenoxy)-hexyl]- phenoxy}-butyricacid 63 4-{2-(2-Carboxy- 32.52 ethyl)-3-[6-(5- cyclopentylmethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3- yloxy)-hexyl]- phenoxy}-butyric acid 644-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5- 2.95 benzo[1,3]dioxol-5- yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)- phenoxy]-butyric acid 65 4-[3-{6-[3-Acetyl- 2.075-(2,3-dihydro- benzo[1,4]dioxin-6- yl)-phenoxy]- hexyl}-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)- phenoxy]-butyric acid 66 4-[3-[6-(5-Acetyl- 3.33biphenyl-3-yloxy)- hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy- ethyl)-phenoxy]- butyric acid 674-[3-[6-(5-Acetyl- 5.1 3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3- yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)- phenoxy]-butyric acid 68 4-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5- 2thiophen-3-yl- phenoxy)-hexyl]-2- (2-carboxy-ethyl)- phenoxy]-butyricacid 69 4-[3-{6-[3-Acetyl- 0.9 5-(2,2-difluoro- benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-phenoxy]- hexyl}-2-(2- carboxy-ethyl)- phenoxy]-butyric acid 704-[3-[6-(3- 0.31 Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5- yl-5-isobutyryl- phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)- phenoxy]-butyric acid 71 4-[3-[6-(3- 0.4Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5- yl-5-propionyl- phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)- phenoxy]-butyric acid 72 4-[3-[6-(3- 0.16Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5- yl-5- cyclopropanecarbonyl- phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)- phenoxy]-butyric acid 73 4-[3-[6-(3- 0.77Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5- yl-5- cyclopentanecarbonyl- phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)- phenoxy]-butyric acid

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments of the invention described above, as variationsof the particular embodiments may be made and still fall within thescope of the appended claims.

1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein: R1 is lower alkyl, alkoxy, alkoyl, dimethylaminomethyl,cyanomethyl, benzyloxy, cyclopentylmethoxy, cyclopropanecarbonyl orcyclopentanecarbonyl; and R2 is benzo[1,3]dioxol, benzo[1,4]dioxin,benzothiazole, difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole, cycloalkyl, aryl,unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted with halogen, hydroxy,alkoxy, lower alkyl, —CF₃, —OCF₃ or methanesulfonyl, heteroaryl,unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted with lower alkyl, halogenor hydroxy, N-aryl or indole, unsubstituted or substituted with loweralkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. The compoundaccording to claim 1, wherein: R1 is lower alkyl, alkoxy or alkoyl; andR2 is benzo[1,3]dioxol, benzo[1,4]dioxin, benzothiazole,difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole, cycloalkyl, aryl, unsubstituted or mono-,di- or tri-substituted with halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, lower alkyl, —CF₃,—OCF₃ or methanesulfonyl, heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono-, di- ortri-substituted with lower alkyl, halogen or hydroxy, N-aryl or indole,unsubstituted or substituted with lower alkyl.
 3. The compound accordingto claim 1, wherein: R1 is dimethylaminomethyl, cyanomethyl, benzyloxy,cyclopentylmethoxy, cyclopropanecarbonyl or cyclopentanecarbonyl; and R2is benzo[1,3]dioxol, benzo[1,4]dioxin, benzothiazole,difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole, cycloalkyl, aryl, unsubstituted or mono-,di- or tri-substituted with halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, lower alkyl, —CF₃,—OCF₃ or methanesulfonyl, heteroaryl, unsubstituted or mono-, di- ortri-substituted with lower alkyl, halogen or hydroxy, N-aryl or indole,unsubstituted or substituted with lower alkyl.
 4. The compound accordingto claim 1, wherein R1 is hydroxymethyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxy,ethoxymethyl, benzyloxy, acetyl or propionyl.
 5. The compound accordingto claim 1, wherein R1 is dimethylaminomethyl, cyanomethyl, benzyloxy,cyclopentylmethoxy, cyclopropanecarbonyl or cyclopentanecarbonyl.
 6. Thecompound according to claim 1, wherein said aryl at R2 is phenyl,unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted with halogen, hydroxy,alkoxy, lower alkyl, —CF₃, —OCF₃ or methanesulfonyl.
 7. The compoundaccording to claim 1, wherein said heteroaryl at R2 is thiophene,pyrimidine or pyridine, unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substitutedwith lower alkyl, halogen or hydroxy.
 8. The compound according to claim1, wherein said compound is:4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-hydroxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-hydroxymethyl-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-fluoro-5-hydroxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-chloro-5-hydroxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-(2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-5-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-hydroxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-fluoro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-chloro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-(2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyricacid,4-(2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-methoxymethyl-5-(4-methyl-thiophen-3-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′-fluoro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(2′-fluoro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′,5′-difluoro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-methoxymethyl-4′-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′-chloro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′-methoxy-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid or4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-methoxymethyl-4′-trifluoromethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid.
 9. The compound according to claim 1, wherein said compound is:4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3′,4′-difluoro-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-methoxymethyl-5-pyrimidin-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-(2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(1H-indol-5-yl)-5-methoxymethyl-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-methanesulfonyl-5-methoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-ethoxymethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxymethyl-4′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxymethyl-4′-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-chloro-5-ethoxymethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxymethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-dimethylaminomethyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl-4′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-chloro-5-dimethylaminomethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl-3′-fluoro-4′-methyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl-4′-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-dimethylaminomethyl-3′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid or4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-dimethylaminomethyl-5-pyridin-4-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid.
 10. The compound according to claim 1, wherein said compound is:4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-cyanomethyl-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-cyanomethyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-ethoxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-(2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-4′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(4′-chloro-5-ethoxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-3′,4′-difluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-ethoxy-4′-methanesulfonyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-(2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2-chloro-pyridin-4-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-ethoxy-5-pyrimidin-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-(2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-5-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyricacid,4-(2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-ethoxy-5-(1H-indol-6-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(3-Benzothiazol-5-yl-5-ethoxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-(2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-{6-[3-(2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-5-ethoxy-phenoxy]-hexyl}-phenoxy)-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(5-Benzyloxy-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(5-Benzyloxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-benzyloxy-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(3-Benzyloxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(3-cyclopentylmethoxy-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-{2-(2-Carboxy-ethyl)-3-[6-(5-cyclopentylmethoxy-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-phenoxy}-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-[3-{6-[3-Acetyl-5-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(5-Acetyl-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(5-Acetyl-3′-fluoro-biphenyl-3-yloxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(3-Acetyl-5-thiophen-3-yl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-[3-{6-[3-Acetyl-5-(2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-phenoxy]-hexyl}-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-isobutyryl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-propionyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-cyclopentanecarbonyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid,4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid or4-[3-[6-(3-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-5-cyclopentanecarbonyl-phenoxy)-hexyl]-2-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-butyricacid.
 11. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a compound according to claim 1 or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier.